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This section displays all of the Tompkins/Cortland County news articles published in the past 7 days.

Updated 05/23/2012 05:35 PM

Trial begins in Cornell hazing case

By: Web Staff

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TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Former members of Cornell University's Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity were called to the stand in the hazing trial of three pledges.

Max Haskin, Benn Mann and Edward Williams have been charged with hazing in the death of George Desdunes. The 19-year-old died in February of 2011 in the library of the frat

Police say Desdunes let pledges at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity tie him up and force him to drink alcohol. The pledges then allegedly asked Desdunes and another frat brother trivia questions and punished wrong answers by making them drink alcohol and do exercises.

Defense attorneys say that Desdunes was out drinking before the mock kidnapping took place.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday.