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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013
by Elise Reuter
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online.com
LAWSUIT
Member injured, sues fraternity
EMMA LEGAULT elegault@kansan.com
The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity is currently involved in a lawsuit regarding an incident that occurred in March 2011.
Andrew Johnson, a junior from Salina, is suing the fraternity, the national Phi Mha Epsilon organization, the Gamma chapter's alumni board, and two members, Rashid Franklin "Scooter" Mebarek and one identified as "John Doe #1."
Johnson is suing on the counts of negligence against the fraternity and the alumni board for failing to prevent underage drinking, enforce underage drinking laws, provide supervision and maintain related fraternity and state policy and laws, among other related reasons. He is suing the two individuals for negligence that caused an injury.
According to the Douglas County Court records, Johnson claims that on March 11 at the function hosted by the fraternity known as "Heaven and Hell," he and other underage members
were allowed access to alcohol without supervision.
In the records, Johnson said that upon returning to the house, he went to bed, but was awakened by the two members "n messing with him" while he slept. Johnson then states he was placed in a headlock and his head rammed against a concrete wall. He suffered a "massive closed head injury" and was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Life Flighted to Kansas University Hospital.
Meberek, the KU Interfraternity Council and representatives from the Sigma Epsilon chapter and national headquarters were unavailable to comment at the time the Kansan went to press.
The court records state that Johnson "permanently lost his sense of smell and continues to suffer cognitive deficits."
Johnson, his family and the Office of Greek Life declined to comment.
Edited by Elise Reuter
KU Police expand force, crime rates increase
CRIME
Efforts by Police at the University to curb the use of fake IDs is attributed to an increase in criminal offenses reported to the KU Public Safety Office, according to a press release Wednesday.
The office said it processed 818 offenses in 2012, including two robberies and one sex offense, up from 732 processed in 2011.
The release cited the office's participation in "a multi-agency, grant-funded fake ID awareness and enforcement
"Providing a safe environment for the KU community is our primary goal," said University Police Chief Ralph Oliver in the release. "We are assisted by proactive efforts like the Fake ID Task Force and by University support of the increased use of closed-circuit cameras on campus."
initiative" as well as its counting of drunk-driving cases as criminal offenses, not included in previous years, as reasons for the increase.
Marshall Schmidt
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Federal judge to retire after investigation of joke in email
NATIONAL
U. S. District Judge Richard Cebull is seen in this undated file photo. Cebull, Montana's chief federal judge, will retire following an investigation into an email he forwarded that included a racist joke involving President Barack Obama.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
U. S. District Judge Richard Cebull had previously announced he would step down as chief circuit judge and take a reduced caseload, but he informed the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that he now intends to fully retire May 3.
HELENA, Mont. — A Montana federal judge will retire following an investigation into an email he forwarded that included a racist joke involving President Barack Obama.
The appellate court posted a statement by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski on its website Tuesday announcing Cebull had submitted the retirement letter.
PAGE 3A
The March 29 letter comes after the appellate court's Judicial Council issued a March 15 order on the investigation into the February 2012 email, but appellate court spokesman David Madden could not say whether Cebull resigned because of the order.
"The misconduct process is confidential. I am not privy to what the order said nor do I know what Judge Cebull's motivations were," Madden said in a Wednesday email.
The council's order will remain confidential during an appeal period, which concludes May 17. Madden said. The council will make an announcement after Cebull's retirement takes effect, he said, but added that he was unable to answer when the order or the letter will be released to the public.
A Cebull aide directed calls for comment to Clerk of Court Tyler Gilman, who said Wednesday that Cebull would not have any comment other than the court's statement.
He declined to release the resignation letter or describe what it said.
to Obama and filed a complaint against himself after The Great Falls Tribune published the contents of the email, which included a joke about bestiality and the president's mother.
Cebull wrote a letter of apology
The Billings judge forwarded the email from his chambers to six other people on Feb.20, 2012,the newspaper reported.
Two other groups also demanded an investigation, with one, the Montana Human Rights Network, starting an online petition calling for Cebull's resignation.
Kim Abbott, the network's codirector, said Wednesday she was
pleased with the announcement but hopes to see the results of the investigation.
"The email really called into question his ability to treat women and people of color fairly, so we're happy Montans will get to appear before a different judge," Abbott said.
The complaints were referred to a special committee appointed by the appellate court to investigate whether Cebull's email constituted misconduct.
Today is the 25th anniversary of KU's 83-79 win over Oklahoma for the NCAA championship. It was the 50th year of the tournament, and the score at halftime was 50-50.
POLICE REPORTS
A 32-year-old male was arrested Tuesday on the 1600 block of 23rd Street on suspicion of burglary of a non-dwelling, criminal damage to property, theft, possession of controlled substance, battery and obstruction of legal process. No bond was posted.
- A 21-year-old male was arrested Tuesday on the 2400 block of Massachusetts Street on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence, no insurance and transporting an open container. A $700 bond was paid.
- A 27-year-old male was arrested Tuesday at the intersection of 15th and Kentucky on suspicion of intoxicated pedestrian in the roadway. A $100 bond was paid.
- A 23-year-old male was arrested Tuesday on the 3600 block of 25th Street on suspicion of possession of controlled substance. A $500 bond was paid.
- Emily Donovan