Possible Hazing Incident Probed

The FAMU Police Department is investigating a alleged hazing incident involving the Alpha Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity that left one student so severely beaten that he required surgery.

The incident involves Marcus Jones, a sophomore from Decatur, Ga., who was allegedly beaten for four nights in a row with canes while pledging Kappa Alpha Psi, and occurred sometime during the last week of February.

"Because of the severe beatings he had taken, his right buttocks looked like a purple volleyball, and there was so much swelling some of the skin literally died," Mark Jones, Marcus' father said. "Imagine a 3-by-3 (inch) area and all of the skin taken off down to the fatty tissue."

FAMU Police Chief Calvin Ross confirmed that the department is gathering information and that one of his investigators is "interviewing those individuals who may have knowledge of what took place."

Hazing in Florida, if it results in serious injury or death, is a felony. It can be punishable with up to five years in prison, regardless of whether the victim consented.

Marcus Jones called home March 1 to say he was hurt, said his father. The environmental sciences student then drove himself home on March 2, and arrived with his clothes soaked in blood. He was taken to the DeKalb Medical Center emergency room March 3, his father said.

Marcus Jones, who suffered from a hematoma, internal bleeding and required 25 stitches, faces three to four weeks of recovery and will miss the rest of the spring semester, according to his father. His pain is still significant enough to require treatment with morphine.

Florida A&M took swift action in placing the fraternity on "inactive status," university spokeswoman LaNedra Carroll said. "They're not recognized as an active organization here.