Trial Date Set For Former Bowie State Student's Hazing Lawsuit Against Fraternity

BOWIE, Md. (WJZ) -- A trial date has been set for a hazing lawsuit filed by a former Bowie State student against his fraternity.

The $3 million lawsuit was filed by Kevin Hayes in 2014 against Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.. (APA) for their negligence.

Hayes said APA should have made sure its chapters and members followed their own fraternity's anti-hazing rules.

A 17-page lawsuit details how the then 20-year-old junior at Bowie State says he was punched and paddled by other fraternity members. It also showed his injuries.

According to the suit:

During the Fall Semester of 2013, Plaintiff became interested in and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated at Bowie State University.  From September 2013 – November 30^, 2013, almost nightly, Plaintiff was required to attend "sets."  The sets were long nights that would last from 5 to 8 hours at night starting as soon as all of Plaintiff's classes ended. During the nights the Plaintiff and others in the intake process would learn chapter and fraternity information, and were punished if the information was not done correctly. The punishments they received were Jewel Shockers (Side Slaps), Back Racks (Back Slaps), Fat Joes (Chest Slaps), as well as taking "wood" (Paddling).

They were not allowed to leave the room and when anyone new had entered the room we had to sit down on the floor in order not to incur any suspicion. Along with the nightly tasks, they were unable to wear specific colors, put on a form of social probation which prohibited them from interacting with others about what they had been put through during the nights because that would be called  "snitching."

Bowie State University is not named in the lawsuit.

The trial is set for May 23.