Alpha Epsilon Pi Hazing: Several charges dropped in Boston Univ. hazing incident

(CBS/WBZ) BOSTON - Several charges have been dropped against a group of Boston University students accused of hazing after police found five pledges of the underground fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi bound with duct tape and covered in food.

CBS Boston reports nine students were charged in the incident at the fraternity house on Ashford Street near campus last April.

Laurence Rosenblum, Jonathan Toobi, Alexander Nisenzon, Robert Rappa and Jesse Kay reportedly appeared in court Wednesday, where the District Attorney's office announced it is dropping several of the charges. Each student now faces a single count rather than multiple counts of hazing or failure to report hazing.

At this point, investigators believe only Kay and Spencer Davidson, who was arraigned last week, were present during the hazing, CBS Boston reports.

Rosenblum, Toobi and Nisenzon are all now charged with just one count of failure to report hazing.

The criminal charges against Rappa have been converted to civil violations and he must perform 40 hours of community service and pay a $400 fine, CBS Boston reports.

According to the station, Kay was initially charged with five counts of hazing, five counts of failure to report hazing, and five counts of assault and battery. He is now charged with one count of hazing, one count of failure to report hazing, and five counts of assault and battery. Davidson faces the same charges as Kay.

Suspects Kyle Shevrin and Cyrun Nazmiyal were reportedly not present in court Wednesday.

More on Crimesider
April 11, 2012 - Alpha Epsilon Pi Hazing: Police seeking criminal complaints against 14 suspects for assault again