Four defendants are due to enter guilty pleas on Monday in the 2013 fraternity hazing death of a Baruch College student in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains.
Deng fell several times and suffered multiple blows to his body, including his head, according to a forensic pathologist, court documents state. Police said that during that time some members changed Deng's clothing and conducted internet searches for phrases like, "concussion can't wake up".
Kenny Kwan, 28, Charles Lai, 26, Raymond Lam, 23, and Sheldon Wong, 24, pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter as accomplices and Hindering Apprehension for concealing or destroying evidence for their respective roles in the December 2013 death and ensuing attempt at hiding their crimes.
Wong's attorney, Steven Brill, said he and his client are preparing for sentencing, which is scheduled for December.
Prosecutors had also charged the fraternity with those same seven counts, according to the presentment.
The murder trial against the national fraternity is scheduled to begin in November.
The family said in a statement that "Michael was a devoted, bright and loving son, and nothing can undo or lessen the crushing heartbreak of losing our only child to fraternity hazing".
The Monroe County DA's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. "Above all Michael Deng was a friend and Sheldon remains deeply saddened by his unintended death", Brill said.
Trump defends sharing 'terrorism' facts with Russians
John McCain, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, said the report is " deeply disturbing " if true. An excerpt from an official transcript of the meeting reveals that Trump told them, "I get great intel".
He was knocked unconscious during the incident and police said fraternity members waited more than an hour before taking Deng to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Four men involved in the death of 19-year-old Chen Deng of Baruch College.
Yuen, who was the first to go to trial, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charges on January 10 in exchange for prosecutors dropping the hazing and hindering charges.
Yuen was sentenced to five years probation, 100 hours of community service, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
At the very least, each defendant faces a minimum of 22 months to three years in state prison on both pleas. Court records confirm the charges against fraternity president Daniel Li, 25, have been reduced, but his case remains unresolved.
The guilty pleas come as almost two-dozen members of a Penn State University fraternity face criminal charges in another case involving a pledge who fatally fell down stairs during an alcohol-fueled event in February.
The pleas come a week after prosecutors announced criminal charges against Beta Theta Pi and 18 Penn students after the death of Timothy Piazza, 19.
Follow NBC Asian America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.
Comments