SYCAMORE – Five former members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity are expected to enter plea agreement in DeKalb County court today in connection with the hazing death of a pledge.
Former Northern Illinois University students Alexender Jandick, 23, of Naperville, the former fraternity president; James Harvey, 23, of Northfield, the former vice president; Patrick Merrill, 22, of Boston; Steven Libert, 23, of Naperville; Omar Salameh, 24, of Burbank, the former pledge adviser, have negotiated agreements with the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Peter Coladarci, attorney for the family of David Bogenberger, previously had told the Daily Chronicle that the five men, who face felony hazing charges in connection with the 2012 death of NIU freshman Bogenberger, are not expected to face jail time.
They are scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m.
Instead, Coladarci said they would be sentenced to conditional discharge, a form of nonreporting probation, if the plea agreements are accepted by the judge.
Bogenberger, a 19-year-old Palatine High School graduate, died at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house in November 2012 after an unsanctioned party.
A toxicology report showed his blood-alcohol content at the time of his death was 0.351 percent. The NIU chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha was closed after the incident.
Another 17 men are facing misdemeanor charges. At least 12 are scheduled to appear today.
Bogenberger’s parents, Gary and Ruth Bogenberger, are expected to travel to Illinois from Florida, where they now live, to attend the hearing.
