Essay reflects student's errors

By: SARA PAUFF

Posted: 4/3/07

If there is one thing Gene Whitner Milner III says he's learned from his latest alcohol offense, it's that "marked" men shouldn't throw parties.

In an essay ordered by a University Judiciary Panel as punishment for disorderly conduct, Milner questions his actions toward the police during a party at his 555 Riverhill Dr. house, as well as his decision to host a post-exam party at all.

"How I Would Have Done It Differently by Gene Whitner Milner III

Essay submitted to Judicial Programs page one

page two

"In retrospect allowing people to come over would have been my biggest mistake. For some reason I wanted to believe that my house was not a giant blip on the radar screen and that I was not a marked man ... I should have realized that this was a horrible idea and that under no circumstances should I have a party," Milner wrote in the essay, entitled "How I Would Have Done It Differently."

The essay, turned in to the Office of Judicial Programs on Thursday, was obtained by The Red & Black through an Open Records Request.

After the Dec. 15, 2006 party, Athens-Clarke County Police charged Milner with providing alcohol to minors, disorderly conduct and a noise violation.

He pled not guilty to all charges in ACC State Court in March.

His next court date is scheduled for May 25.

Milner has been charged with several drug and alcohol-related offenses during the past year.

He was barred from the county in January 2006 after a string of alcohol-related arrests. After taking classes in Colorado for a semester, he re-enrolled at the University in the fall.

Last year, University Police searched Milner's home as part of an investigation into the death of University freshman Lewis Fish.

Fish died in his Russell Hall dorm room after taking a combination of heroin, cocaine and alcohol.