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No Charges for Penn State Fraternity After Student Jumps to Death

A state grand jury is recommending no criminal charges for fraternity hazing that one family claims led to the suicide of a Penn State-Altoona student.

The grand jury report released Tuesday indicates 18-year-old Marquise Braham left notes indicating he had contemplated suicide since he was a child. It also says there's no evidence linking Braham's hazing by the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and his death.

Finally, while several witnesses described hazing — including sleep deprivation, alcohol binging, and other abuse — the grand jury says "there is both conflicting evidence and a lack of direct evidence" that could lead to successful prosecutions. [[251325651, C]]

Braham's family sued the school and the fraternity last month, blaming the hazing for his March 2014 suicide.

A spokesman says the family is preparing a statement. The school and fraternity didn't immediately comment.


SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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