A ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court has cleared the way for prosecutors to move forward with criminal charges in a fatal fraternity hazing case in Ingham County.
Prosecutors announced charges against Ethan Cao for allegedly violating Michigan’s anti-hazing statute. He faces one count of hazing causing death and three counts of hazing causing serious injury.
Cao had challenged the constitutionality of the state’s anti-hazing law in appellate courts. On Feb. 27, the Michigan Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision affirming the validity of the statute, according to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Now that the constitutional challenges have been resolved, we look forward to trying this case in court,” Prosecutor John Dewane said in a news release.
Death at Michigan State University Fraternity
The case stems from a 2021 fraternity party at Michigan State University involving the Pi Alpha Phi chapter.
Phat Nguyen, a 21-year-old fraternity pledge, died from alcohol intoxication after attending the event. Authorities said he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.386% and was pronounced dead at the scene from acute ethanol toxicity.
Police responding to a report of an unconscious person found additional individuals in a basement with blood-alcohol levels of 0.467%, 0.324% and 0.128%, according to court records.
The incident led to the closure of the Pi Alpha Phi chapter at MSU.
Case History
Nine students were initially arrested in connection with the incident. Since then, six have had charges dismissed, and one pleaded guilty to misdemeanor offenses.
With the constitutional questions resolved, prosecutors are now moving ahead with Cao’s case in Ingham County court.