A Florida pass judgement on final week sentenced a former Florida university scholar to 30 days in jail and a 12 months of probation after he punched his peer right through a fraternity hazing incident in 2018.
Oliver Walker, 26, used to be charged with culpable negligence causing hurt after he sucker punched fraternity pledge Nicholas Mauricio right through a convention known as “Scumbag of the Week” arranged by means of individuals of FSU’s since-dissolved Alpha Epsilon Pi bankruptcy, in step with a lawsuit in the past filed in opposition to the fraternity.
“Now not most effective am I fortunate to be alive, however I’m fortunate to … be in a just right situation upstairs,” Mauricio advised Fox Information Virtual. “It’s taken numerous exhausting paintings and numerous suffering and numerous low issues.”
He stated the “toughest phase about” his mind damage “is that it’s now not a visual damage like a damaged arm or a torn ACL that takes bodily rehab.” It may be tough for his family and friends to needless to say he used to be critically injured and has been combating on a daily basis because the “Scumbag of the Week” incident.
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Oliver Walker, 26, used to be charged with culpable negligence causing hurt after he sucker punched fellow scholar Nicholas Mauricio right through a fraternity custom known as “Scumbag of the Week” arranged by means of individuals of FSU’s since-dissolved Alpha Epsilon Pi bankruptcy. (John Greim/LightRocket by way of Getty Photographs)
Mauricio, who used to be 6-foot-1 and 215 kilos on the time of the punch, fell and hit his head after Walker’s punch and has spent the final six years convalescing from a debilitating mind damage that incorporated two other hematomas and frontal lobe injury.
The incident got here simply months after FSU scholar Andrew Coffey died of alcohol poisoning after his fraternity brothers didn’t instantly name for lend a hand.
The longstanding “Scumbag of the Week” custom required individuals to choose a pledge to be punched within the face in entrance of all the fraternity, in step with the lawsuit.
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Nicholas Mauricio poses together with his fraternity “giant brother” and “grand giant brother” right through a pledge night time in 2018. (Nicholas Mauricio)
“It is affecting my entire circle of relatives,” Mauricio stated, including that they “just like the phrase survivor as it’s an extension of being a sufferer, however you have been in a position to persevere.”
His mom, Michelle Mauricio, advised Fox Information Virtual ready six years to get justice has been “atrocious.”
“I’m nonetheless so emotionally exhausted. … I’m simply bored with combating a combat we’re by no means going to win.”
“The tales stay going out, and annually every other scholar is injured or dies,” Michelle stated. “That is pals hurting pals.”
Nicholas Mauricio (middle) poses together with his two fraternity pledge brothers in 2018. (Nicholas Mauricio )
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David Bianchi, a famend hazing legal professional who represented Mauricio in each instances, advised Fox Information Virtual he’s satisfied the Mauricio circle of relatives is in any case seeing a answer to the legal case.
“Most of the people could be amazed on the choice of fraternity hazing incidents that occur annually in america, and that is the reason even if nearly each state has an anti-hazing regulation, each primary college has an anti-hazing coverage and each primary fraternity and sorority has an anti-hazing coverage,” Bianchi stated.Â
“Those incidents are going down always all through america, and the message is not getting via to the blokes that do this stuff.”
Nicholas Mauricio’s mom advised Fox Information Virtual ready six years to get justice has been “atrocious.” (Nicholas Mauricio)
Bianchi added that “in all probability prison time” will display fraternity individuals that in the event that they put pledges or current individuals into scenarios the place they are able to be severely injured or die, suspension, expulsion or even prison time are believable penalties.Â
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Mauricio desires different college-aged males who’re taking into account becoming a member of a fraternity to talk up if they’re uncovered to any roughly bodily hurt or alcohol if they’re underage.
“You’ll be able to inform them no, and also you will have to inform them no.”
“On the finish of the day, despite the fact that it’ll look like they’ve the entire energy, you could have extra energy than them. You’ll be able to inform them no, and also you will have to inform them no,” Mauricio stated. “We will have to all be leaders greater than we will have to be fans. You’ll be capable to save you one thing unhealthy from going down to you and stay your dignity intact.”
Nicholas Mauricio gained a soccer scholarship in highschool. (Nicholas Mauricio)
Mauricio added that universities even have “numerous pores and skin on this recreation,” quite than simply Greek organizations and their individuals. He and his mom are hoping their tale educates different university scholars and fraternity individuals in regards to the doable risks of hazing.
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Mauricio hopes to be an recommend for varsity hazing and others who be afflicted by mind injury.
Legal professional Gannon Coens of Bodiford Regulation, which represented Walker, declined to remark on the time of newsletter.
