Chi Phi cleared by police of basement beating allegations
December 2, 2009 by CAREY ONEIL
Filed under News
The fraternity house where a Clemson University student was allegedly held against his will and beaten has been cleared of any involvement in the incident, University Police told The Red & Black Monday.
The student, visiting Athens for the Auburn football game, was found highly intoxicated, incoherent and with several injuries in the middle of the road in front of the Chi Phi fraternity house on the morning of Nov. 15. The student told police he was beaten in the Chi Phi basement after an altercation at Roadhouse bar near the house.
“There was nothing to indicate any member of the fraternity was involved,” University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said.
Chi Phi President Patrick Richardson declined to comment on this development. He reiterated his fraternity’s previous statement that it is offering its full cooperation with authorities and that such acts are not condoned by or representative of the organization.
“We are very pleased that Chi Phi has cooperated fully with the investigation,” said Interfraternity Council President Daniel Salisbury in a statement to The Red & Black Tuesday.
Former University student Gene Whitner Milner III, 23, was charged with felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery in the case, Williamson said.
Williamson declined to comment on the details, but said, “There was probable cause to make the case, and we feel there was evidence to make those charges.”
Manny Arora, Milner’s attorney, was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
