2 college officials charged in freshman's death

TRENTON, N.J. — Two Rider University officials, including the dean of students, and three students were indicted Friday in the death of a freshman after a drinking binge at a campus fraternity house.

The school dissolved the Phi Kappa Tau chapter Friday, and authorities said the aggravated-hazing charges should send a message to students and administrators alike.

"The standards of college life, when it relates to alcohol, need to be policed carefully," prosecutor Joseph Bocchini Jr. said.

Gary DeVercelly Jr., of Long Beach, Calif., had a blood-alcohol level of 0.426 percent, more than five times New Jersey's legal limit for driving, when he was pronounced dead March 30 at a Trenton hospital, authorities said. He died the day after drinking at the Phi Kappa Tau house on the private school's campus in central New Jersey.

The five charged are: Ada Badgley, 31, the university's director of Greek life; Anthony Campbell, 51, dean of students; Adriano DiDonato, 22, residence director and house master of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house; Dominic Olsen, 21, pledge master of Spring 2007 Phi Kappa Tau pledge class; and Michael Tourney, 21, chapter president.

If convicted, the officials and fraternity members would face a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Further action related to the five is to be decided next week, university spokesman Earle Rommel said.

Friends of the freshman said DeVercelly, 18, told them he would be drinking vodka during pledge initiation at the fraternity house, The Times of Trenton has reported.

Bocchini wouldn't discuss evidence in detail.

There also are charges at the municipal level against 15 people accused of providing alcohol to minors, with an additional 23 people charged with underage drinking.

Three students also face drug charges after a search of the fraternity house, Bocchini said.

Paul Norris, a lawyer for DiDonato, said he couldn't understand why his client was facing charges over a part-time university job. DiDonato was in the fraternity house but wasn't present at the late March party, Norris said.

Olsen's lawyer, Tim Donohue, said his client was still grieving DeVercelly's death and couldn't speak.