Someone is to blame for the two VSU students' deaths

On the face of it, swimming across the Appomattox River doesn’t seem so daunting a dare when it comes to hazing, fraternities, and other frat-like organizations, like the Men of Honor. But the Appomattox River, and especially that area near Campbell’s Bridge, is renowned for people losing their lives.

Since 2005 at least seven people have drowned in that stretch of water. The river can seem placid and somewhat docile, but underwater currents, eddies, and debris make it more of a mine field than most people understand. Campbell’s Bridge itself is a common area that people choose to end their lives.

Having lived in this area for 25 years, the danger of swimming in the Appomattox River is common knowledge to me. While not everyone who goes swimming in the Appomattox ends up drowning the turgid waters can be a severe test for even strong swimmers. The river is full of rocks, pilings, and hidden snags that can easily grab an unsuspecting swimmer and pull them to their death.

Even strong swimmers who are aware of the river’s reputation for taking lives have become victims. According to reports, the area around Campbell’s Bridge has claimed at least seven lives since 2005, and many more before that, with at least three people killed after jumping off the bridge. Most people who have lived in the Tri-City area for even a few years are well aware of the danger swimming in the river presents.

With all of that in mind, it would seem that the prospect of having seven “candidates” for the Men of Honor group, which for the record is not an on-campus organization at Virginia State University (VSU), attempt to cross the river would have inherent dangers.

Only two of the seven failed to complete the test, but those two paid an extreme price by drowning. The two students, Marvell Edmondson and Jauwan M. Holmes, both 19, disappeared while attempting to complete the task. Both bodies were pulled from the river over the ensuing few days.

Police have charged four men, James A. Mackey Sr. of Midlothian, Eriq K. Benson of Quinton, Cory D. Baytop, and Charles E. Zollicoffer II with five counts of hazing in relation to the incident. Police say they are all affiliated with Men of Honor. Mackey, Benson, and Baytop have been arrested; police continue to seek Zollicoffer.

Perhaps charging these men with hazing is enough. But it seems to me they were well aware of the danger the river presents. It’s not unreasonable to think that the reason the river crossing was part of the ritual was specifically because of the danger it presented. At the same time, I don’t think any of these gentlemen thought for a minute that the event would have the tragic ending that it did have.

The bigger question, to me, is whether they are culpable to any extent? If they were aware of the potential danger posed by attempting to cross the Appomattox River, should they not be charged with negligent homicide or some other charge that makes them accountable for the loss of life? Ultimately, I realize, these seven candidates chose to enter the water and that some responsibility for what happens rests with them.

Charging the men with hazing doesn’t seem harsh enough given the results; the punishment doesn’t seem to fit the crime. There may in fact be no higher crime that these men can be charged with, but it seems a miscarriage of justice for them to be charged with hazing when the result of their actions cost the lives of two young men.

We have lots of charges for people who are responsible for other people’s deaths, why should this be any different? It’s time to take a closer look at this incident and see if we can’t find a criminal charge that is more befitting such a case than simple hazing.