The Chico State Saga Continues: Four charged with involuntary manslaughter in fraternity death

Four California State University fraternity members were charged Wednesday with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 21-year-old student who died last month while undergoing hazing at a rogue fraternity.

Matthew William Carrington of Pleasant Hill died Feb. 2 after drinking large amounts of water and doing exercises in the basement of the Chi Tau house, about five blocks from the university's Chico campus, according to police.

Eight members, including the four facing manslaughter charges, were also charged with misdemeanor hazing.

"They were all involved in one way or another with the hazing, but the other four were more involved," Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said.

The manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of four years in state prison, and the hazing charge carries a maximum of one year in county jail and a $5,000 fine.

"The people that are directly involved with my son's death are being charged with involuntary manslaughter, and I'm very happy about that," Carrington's father, Michael Carrington, told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I would like for it to be more, but I guess that's just the way the law is."

AP Wire | 03/03/2005 | Four charged with involuntary manslaughter in Chico fraternity death