The family of former University of Missouri student Danny Santulli, who was seriously injured during a fraternity hazing ceremony in 2021 in what they described as the “worst hazing injury I've ever seen,” supports the passage of a new law called the STOP Act. I am doing it. Campus hazing law.
President Biden signed a bipartisan bill in late December introduced by Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.
“This is a good new law and will help,” David Bianchi, the Santulli family's attorney, told FOX News Digital. “It would require universities to annually report on-campus hazing statistics and make those statistics readily available on university websites. , which also requires universities to implement anti-hazing programs on campus, which is always a good thing.”
“This is the first time the federal government has looked at gray areas,” Bianchi said.
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Daniel Santulli suffered a “massive brain injury” after the hazing incident in October 2021. (Tom Santulli)
When Santulli was a freshman at Mizzou University, he pledged Phi Gamma Delta and was forced to consume an entire handle of vodka while blindfolded, followed by a beer.
“Shortly before midnight, Danny passed out on the couch,” a summary of events posted on the Bianchi law firm's website states. “No one did anything to help him. Eventually, members found Danny unconscious with blue lips and pale skin, and realized he was in great danger, but… Instead of calling 911, I picked him up off the couch and carried him to my car.''I knocked him on my head on the way out the door.'' ”
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Danny Santulli was left blind and paralyzed after the hazing incident. (Santuri family)
Santuri went into cardiac arrest and was taken to a local hospital, but the hazing ritual left the then 19-year-old blind, unable to walk or communicate. His parents are now caring for him 24 hours a day, according to Bianchi's law firm, Stewart Tillman Fox Bianchi & Kane, Pennsylvania.
“None of these families stand together because they don't want to see this happen to anyone else,” Bianchi said. “We tried to advocate for this legislation, but it took a long time to finally get it done. This is a good step in the right direction, but we can do more.”
Video from Missouri fraternity shows alleged hazing that sends student to hospital and requires 'lifelong care'
The Santulli family is supporting the passage of a new law called the Campus Hazing Prevention Act. (Santuri family)
Bianchi believes that the law should also cover penalties for those accused of disturbing others on university campuses, as a way to motivate students not to participate in such harmful activities. There is.
“if [students] They think if they cloud someone, they'll just get a slap on the wrist and that's not going to change their behavior. ”
“We need to do something to convince the fraternity members who are trying to engage in hazing.” [that] If you do so, there will be very severe consequences,” the attorney said. “Those consequences should include immediate expulsion from the university, immediate expulsion from the fraternity, and title prosecution.” Ta. No matter what you do, the behavior will not change. ”
Minnesota teen with 'severe brain injury' left permanently scarred in college hazing incident: family
Santulli's father, Thomas Santulli, told KVLY that the family's next step is to pass Danny's Law, which would exempt students from felony hazing charges if they called 911. (Santuri family)
Santulli's father, Thomas Santulli, told KVLY that the family's next step is to pass Danny's Law, which would exempt students from felony hazing charges if they called 911.
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Boone County authorities have charged 11 Mizzou students in connection with the hazing incident that left Santulli blind and paralyzed. Six defendants entered into plea deals.
Phi Gamma Delta was subsequently closed down at the University of Missouri.
