Five arraigned for murder in alleged hazing death of Baruch College student Michael Deng
POCONO PINES, Pa. -- Five young men charged with murder in the 2013 death of a Baruch College student went before a judge Thursday. Four of the defendants had their bail set at $500,000 and a fifth's was set at $150,000.
All but one was posting bond Thursday afternoon.
The men, who are all from Queens in New York City, are charged with third-degree murder and other counts in the death of Chun "Michael" Deng.
The suspects' appearance came nearly two years after police said fraternity members at Pi Delta Psi physically abused Deng, and then tried to cover it up as the 19-year-old lay dying in their rented house in the Pocono Mountains, about 100 miles west of New York.
Defense lawyers called Deng's death as a tragedy but said their clients did not intend to kill him, characterizing it as a fraternity prank gone horribly awry.
"They're college kids, they're doing what they've always done; something bad happened. They did not know how to react. That is not the same as a crime," said Robert Saurman, attorney for defendant Kenny Kwan, 26.
Kwan left the courtroom and broke down crying ahead of his arraignment. He was consoled by another defendant, Charles Lai, 24.
The other suspects arraigned Thursday were Raymond Lam, 22; Sheldon Wong, 23; and Daniel Li, 23. Each faces charges of third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated and simple assault, hindering apprehension, hazing, and conspiracy. Lai and Kwan also face drug charges.
The fraternity itself is also charged with murder, and 32 other suspects face less serious charges.
Police say fraternity members blindfolded Deng, forcing him to wear a heavy backpack, and then repeatedly tackled him during the hazing ritual, known as glass ceiling. Deng fell unconscious and was carried inside the house while fraternity members changed his clothes and did an Internet search of his symptoms, waiting an hour before taking him to the hospital, according to court documents. Deng, who suffered a brain injury, died a day later.
Deng was the last of several pledges to be hazed that weekend. Police have said he was treated more harshly than the other pledges, though they have not said why he was forced to suffer extra abuse.
Interviewed by police, Li, who prosecutors on Thursday described as the fraternity chapter president, said Deng was "unlucky," according to court documents. Prosecutors on Thursday said that while he did not take part in the beating, he was present and failed to stop it. Li was released on $150,000 bail. His attorney declined comment.
Lawyers for the other four defendants argued against what they contended was punitively high bail, saying their clients come from supportive families and did not pose a flight risk or a threat to the community. Several of the defendants' parents were in court Thursday.
James Swetz, attorney for Lai, told Magisterial District Judge Richard Claypool that the bail requested by the district attorney's office was "simply an attempt to pander to the members of the media" for purposes of "shock value."
But the judge said the charges warranted it.
"I'm surprised the DA's office came in as low as they did," Claypool said.
As Lai was taken away in handcuffs, unable to post bond, Swetz filed an emergency petition seeking a bail reduction.