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(Memphis) A University of Memphis fraternity is in the spotlight after several of its members end up in jail.
Several members of the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi are charged with assault after police say they went overboard with a hazing ritual.
At least two fraternity brothers spent Monday bonding out of jail accused of beating new members with a stick.
Keenan Alexander says he thought about joining the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi but changed his mind when he heard about the hazing from his best friend who is a member.
“I know a little bit about initiation. There are some things you have to do,” said Alexander. “I know he said he went through some hard stuff.”
Police say members of the frat went a little too far this time when they flogged a student multiple times on his butt with a wooden stick and punched him in the chest with a closed fist.
Police say frat leader Adrian Bond ordered the beating for new Kappa Alpha Psi members.
They were students who were already members last year, but according to Bond, needed additional pledging this year.
Stephon Coleman, 23, was also arrested for the crime.
“It is more of a gang because to get beaten like that to just be a brother, it sounds more like a gang because a gang situation they do the same thing,” said Alexander.
Kappa Alphi Psi doesn’t have a Memphis frat house but does have a local chapter.
We contacted the fraternity on its website asking for comment on the accusations.
We haven’t heard back.
Kappa Alphi Psi is a historic black fraternity that’s been around since the early 1900s with more than 150,000 members nationwide.
Alexander isn’t one of them, “After I heard about stuff like that, I never wanted to be in a fraternity. I want to do my own thing.”