22 NIU fratstars get misdemeanor convictions in death of pledge

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On the night he died, Bogenberger, 19, was taking part in a pledge initiation activity at the Pi Kappa Alpha house on the NIU campus. He and other pledges went from room to room in the house, answering questions posed by fraternity members and downing shots of alcohol.
Standing before the judge

Twenty-two former members of a Northern Illinois University fraternity stand before Judge Thomas Doherty on May 8, 2015, as they waive their rights to a trial stemming from the hazing death of a student. (Danielle Guerra, Daily Chronicle)

The next morning, members discovered Bogenberger had died, and an autopsy would reveal that he had consumed so much alcohol that it caused his heart to stop. Tests showed a 0.40 blood-alcohol level — five times the limit considered under the influence for motorists.

The university suspended the chapter, saying the Pikes had failed to inform school officials about the party, as was required. DeKalb County prosecutors charged 17 members with misdemeanor hazing and five fraternity officers with felony hazing.

In the end, all were found guilty of misdemeanors, with the officers convicted of reckless conduct and the rest found guilty on the misdemeanor hazing count. All were ordered to pay a fine of either $500 or $1,000, perform 100 hours of community service and spend 24 months on either supervision or conditional discharge.

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Neither Bogenberger parent believed the fraternity members were remorseful.

"No one looked me in the eye," Ruth Bogenberger said.

Gary Bogenberger referred to a 2012 New York Times article which quoted a woman living behind the NIU Pike house. About a month after Bogenberger's death, she told the paper members were outside the house blaring music and partying.

"That doesn't seem to me to be an act of contrition," Gary Bogenberger said.

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