Suspects In Hazing Won’t Be Prosecuted

Three Virginia Military Institute seniors suspended for spanking freshmen with a belt and hanger will not be prosecuted, according to one of the students who was beaten.

George Wade Jr., who dropped out in December, said Saturday that Rockbridge County Commonwealth’s Attorney Gordon Saunders told him an assault charge would be difficult to prove because he could be seen as a willing participant.

Wade, 20, said he and five other freshmen were beaten on the buttocks about three times a week from September to mid-October, leaving them with welts and bruises.

Wade said he endured the beatings because he felt he had no choice.

Wade said the prosecutor told him a hazing charge cannot be made without a complaint by VMI. School officials, who suspended the seniors for a semester, said the beatings were not hazing.

Last month, three of the freshmen who were struck challenged Wade’s account, saying the beatings were horseplay.

Wade said he plans to ask the Justice Department to investigate.