A former leader of a Northern Arizona University fraternity pleaded guilty Monday to a felony hazing charge in connection with the death of a pledge who died after being made to drink excessively.
Carter Eslick, 20, entered the plea in Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff. Under an agreement with prosecutors, Eslick could serve up to four years of probation, with a judge to determine the final sentence, which could include up to one year in jail.
The victim, 18-year-old Colin Daniel Martinez, was pledging to the now-defunct Delta Tau Delta fraternity chapter at NAU. He was found unresponsive on January 31. An autopsy revealed his blood-alcohol level was 0.425%, a level considered life-threatening.
At the time of the incident, Eslick served as the fraternity's pledge master, a role responsible for welcoming new members. Martinez was among four men pledging who were instructed to share two bottles of vodka at an off-campus rush event with the goal of inducing vomiting, according to court documents. Witnesses reported that throughout the night, Martinez's sleeping position was adjusted and his pulse and breathing were monitored for signs of alcohol poisoning.
Following Martinez's death, Northern Arizona University suspended the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and the national organization subsequently closed the chapter. Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker stated that the plea does not diminish the profound harm or sorrow caused by Martinez's death.