The grand jury announced Matthew Naquin has been indicted on charges of negligent homicide in the hazing death of Maxwell Gruver in a press release from East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore, III.
According to the police report, Naquin, Patrick Forde and Ryan Isto were the most aggressive in the hazing incident.
Forde, Isto and Sean-Paul Gott have all been charged with hazing, according to the grand jury.
Moore’s office declined to press any criminal charges against Sean Pennsion, according to a press release from Moore’s office. The grand jury chose not to indict Nicholas Taulli and pretermitted charges against four other individuals. This means the jury can indict in the future should new evidence come to light.
The jury also pretermitted charges of negligent homicide against Isto, charges of obstruction of justice against Castillo and charges of negligent homicide and obstruction of justice against Forde, according to the grand jury report.
LSUPD arrested 10 individuals on Oct. 11 on hazing charges, with Naquin receiving an additional charge of negligent homicide.
In addition to Naquin, Forde, Isto, Gott and Pennison, LSUPD arrested Hudson Kirkpatrick, Zachary Hall, Elliott Eaton, Nicholas Taulli and Zachary Castillo.
Six of the 10 individuals are currently enrolled at the University. Naquin, Gott, Forde and Isto are not currently enrolled and Forde was not enrolled at the time of the incident, according to Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard.
A misdemeanor hazing charge results in a fine between $10 to $100 and between 10 to 30 days in prison. Negligent homicide charges can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison.
LSU President F. King Alexander released a statement, reiterating the dangers of hazing.
“Our thoughts continue to be with the Gruver family during this difficult time. As I’ve said previously, the ramifications of hazing are devastating,” Alexander said in the statement. “Today’s decision by the grand jury furthers the fact that behaviors that threaten the safety of our students will not be tolerated. Hazing is dangerous and unacceptable. We are taking necessary steps to change the culture on campus related to hazing and are currently in the implementation phase of our Task Force on Greek Life’s recommendations. With today’s decision, the judicial system will now proceed with its process. In the meantime, the university has completed its internal student code of conduct investigation and outcomes have started to be issued.”
Moore included a statement in the press release announcing the indictments condemning hazing and warning of the dangers of excessive drinking.
“Hazing and excessive use of alcohol are extremely dangerous behaviors. Tragically, this case involved both. Maxwell Gruver’s death is a very serious matter involving the gross disregard for the health and safety of a fellow student.”
Moore also praised Gruver’s parents, Rae Ann and Steve Gruver, for their role in advocating for hazing prevention.
“I applaud the efforts by Steve and Rae Ann Gruver in promoting legislation to change Louisiana’s hazing statute particularly in addressing the penalties when death or serious bodily injury are involved. Their work around the nation with PUSH (Parents United to Stop Hazing) and the Maxwell Gruver Foundation is necessary to address the problem.”
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According to the police reports, several active members said the main members leading the hazing were Naquin, Isto and Gott, saying Naquin was the leader of the hazing event and the most aggressive. The report said that claim was supported during the course of all the interviews of both active members and pledges.
Several pledges said Naquin yelled, “Are you ready for ‘Bible Study’?” He also said, “Y’all better do well. I’m already f*cked up,” the reports said.
The pledges were told to make a single file line and go upstairs, where Gott threw mustard and hot sauce at the pledges, the reports said. Pledges were told to place their nose and toes to the wall in the hallway. Strobe lights flashed and loud music played as the lights were out.
One member said he told Naquin and Gott to “cut it out,” because he felt it was getting out of hand, the reports said. That same member said Naquin was yelling and forcing pledges to consume liquor by taking “pulls.” The pledges were consuming “Diesel,” which is 190 proof liquor.
Another active member said he told Naquin and Gott to “slow it down” several times, but Naquin would not stop, the reports said.
According to the report, an active member said he heard Naquin yelling “pledge drink” and “take a pull.”
Near the end of the event, the pledges were required to recite the Greek alphabet. In the reports, an active member said he believes Gruver kept messing up the alphabet and Naquin was “forcing” him to drink each time he messed up.
A pledge said they were required to take “pulls” of Diesel for three to five seconds. They were also told to do “wall sits” and “planks.” According to the reports, the pledge said he felt Naquin and Gott targeted Gruver for being late to events. The pledge said he felt Naquin was taking it too far.
Another pledge said he felt Naquin was yelling at Gruver more and that Naquin did not like Gruver, the reports said. He said Naquin told the pledge several days before that Naquin wanted to “cut” Gruver from the pledge process.
An additional pledge was next to Gruver during the event. He said most pledges only took three to four pulls of Diesel, but Gruver took 10-12, the reports said. He said Isto, Naquin and Gott were mad at Gruver for always being late and made him drink more than the other pledges because of it. The pledge said he messed up the Greek alphabet five to six times and was forced to drink every time.
Members who lived in the fraternity’s house said they checked on Gruver throughout the night, and he was still on the couch around 3 a.m. This is the last time he was checked on until 9 a.m., according to the reports.
East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner William “Beau” Clark said Gruver’s cause of death was acute alcohol intoxication with aspiration. His alcohol level was .495 at his time of death.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: Sean Pennison is a former employee of Tiger TV in the LSU Office of Student Media.