The Louisiana Southern University alumni was charged after “submitting himself” for the death of pledge and beloved band member Caleb Wilson, a violent Hayes.
Caleb McCray, 23, faces manslaughter and detective hayes charges, allegedly punching Wilson in the chest with boxing gloves at a ritual on February 21, causing a fatal attack and repeatedly punching Baton Rouge police. He said at a press conference on Friday.
“Caleb McCray surrendered himself with his lawyer and was booked at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison,” said Prime Minister TJ Morse.
“We have two additional suspects, where we create a warrant and work with our lawyers to attract ourselves.”
McCray is a member of the Omega psi phi fraternity who was trying to join when 20-year-old Wilson was killed. He graduated from Southern University in December 2024 and is a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard. According to ABC News.
He was released from prison after earning $75,000 in bonds on Friday.
Morse has indicated that McCray and two other unidentified suspects could face additional charges for lying to police. A group of students allegedly dropped Wilson down at the hospital and told staff he collapsed after being hit in the chest with a basketball.
Suspicion of their explanations, hospital staff contacted the Baton Rouge police, but their fellow brothers fled before officers arrived.
The investigation determined that, as the man said, he had never been on the ball playing in a local park, but instead was in a warehouse where he performed a violent hazing ritual on the nine pledges for fraternity in Omega Psi Phi.
McCray and at least two people wore boxing gloves and repeatedly attacked the victims. According to the affidavit, Wilson collapsed, suffered a seizure, and lost control of his physical functions.
The fraternity is said to have put in the grey sweatpants Wilson wore – it wore all the pledges – he rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead.
Morse emphasized that Wilson died “as a direct result of the Kasumi incident.”
The autopsy later revealed that Wilson had no significant trauma to his body, except for a small bruise on the right side of his chest. Police said Friday there were no indications that McCray “intention to cause death or serious harm to any of the pledges.”
McCray's lawyers sought to maintain the innocence of the graduates and not rush the public to judge the suit.
“The accusations against Caleb McCray are serious and I acknowledge the seriousness of the matter, but it is essential to remember that the accusations are not evidence of guilt. At this time, I have not been presented with evidence to support such serious accusations. I will maintain the innocence of my clients and urge the public to hurry and withhold the judgement until all the evidence is heard,” Philip M. Robinson said in a statement.
“We are committed to ensuring that all facts are properly considered and followed by a legitimate process. Many details reported in the media may be incomplete, false or lacking in appropriate context.”
