Five Men Indicted In Caleb Wilson’s Alleged Hazing Death
The family of Caleb Wilson is one step closer to justice after an indictment of five men in his alleged hazing death. The grand jury is still deliberating on whether a sixth suspect should be charged in the death of the Southern University student during an off-campus event for the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
The controversial criminal case is moving forward with multiple arrests and new charges related to the alleged ritual wrongdoing. Wilson was a junior and member of the famous Human Jukebox Marching Band with a bright future as a mechanical engineering major. WAFB reports that an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury handed down five indictments.
Police arrested fraternity members Caleb McCray, Kyle Thurman, and Isaiah Smith in March. This took place just weeks after the 20-year-old collapsed from multiple blows to the chest during a “hazing ritual,” according to court documents.
The orgianization later stripped all three men of membership and Southern University expelled the Beta Sigma chapter of Omega Psi Phi from campus.
Accused of delivering the series of punches that led to Wilson's collapse and subsequent death, on December 10, McCray faced the most serious charges of manslaughter and capital murder.
The grand jury indicted Thurman for felony and three counts of obstruction of justice, and Smith for capital murder, capital felony and obstruction of justice.
“We're continuing to investigate. The most important thing is phones being downloaded and other evidence and then hopefully cooperation from people who have now been charged,” said District Attorney Hillar Moore.
Two new suspects identified and charged in the death of Caleb Wilson
The same day, warrants were issued for new suspects, Winston Sanders, 22, and Jaydn Landrum, 24. Sanders was arrested on December 11 and charged with being a principal to a felony and two counts of obstruction of justice.
Landrum, indicted by the grand jury on capital charges, has not yet been arrested.
A sixth suspect, Jaelyn Grissom, 21, may also be charged if more evidence comes forward, but the grand jury has not yet decided to indict.
Wilson's suspected pledges, who participated in the same ritual that night, were charged with felony charges.
The Wilson family attended the court proceedings with their lawyer Rob Marionneaux.
“Instead of calling the authorities once they realized something was wrong with Caleb, what did they do? Change his clothes, come up with a story and drop him on the hospital steps,” Marionneaux said.
In September, the Wilsons filed a lawsuit against the national Omega Psi Phi fraternity and its local chapters against the school, Louisiana State, Southern University, and a dozen people allegedly connected to the events that led to Wilson's death, according to WAFB.
