A former Northern Arizona University fraternity leader was sentenced Wednesday to two months in jail for his role in a hazing incident that ended in the death of a pledge.
Carter Eslick, 20, was also placed on supervised probation for three years during a hearing in Coconino County Superior Court.
Eslick pleaded guilty to felony hazing in connection with the Jan. 31 death of 18-year-old Colin Daniel Martinez at an off-campus residence.
An autopsy determined that Martinez died from alcohol poisoning. His blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.425%—more than five times Arizona’s legal driving limit for people age 21 and older.
Court records state that Martinez and three other Delta Tau Delta pledges drank from two bottles of vodka as part of an effort to make themselves vomit.
Witnesses said they repositioned Martinez while repeatedly checking his pulse and breathing for signs of alcohol poisoning during the night, according to court documents.
Martinez’s parents appeared virtually at the sentencing hearing. Still mourning their son, they told the court they want accountability and meaningful reform in Greek life, Phoenix television station azfamily.com reported.
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Eslick was serving as the fraternity’s pledge master, the member responsible for welcoming and overseeing new recruits. He apologized to Martinez’s family Wednesday and said he accepted “full responsibility for the hand I played in that ritual.”
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said no sentence could reverse the damage suffered by the Martinez family.
“My hope is that this case helps people understand the serious dangers of hazing and encourages them to speak up and intervene before another family experiences this kind of loss,” Barker said in a statement.
Judge Stacy Krueger said Eslick understood that his conduct was dangerous and expressed concern that no one intervened or objected.
Eslick could be sent back to jail if he violates probation. As part of his sentence, he must create and give 305 anti-hazing presentations and regularly report his progress to the court.
He is also prohibited from using alcohol or drugs unless they are prescribed.
Northern Arizona University suspended the fraternity following Martinez’s death. The organization’s national leadership later shut down the NAU chapter.
