In 2018, FSU student Nicholas Mauricio was subjected by members of Alpha Epsilon Pi to a fraternity ritual called “Scumbag of the Week.” The abusive and violent hazing ritual required Nicholas to get assaulted by another member. He was punched in the face, causing him to fall backward and strike his head against the ground. The impact left him with a life-altering brain injury caused by a skull fracture and brain bleed.
Six years later, the member who threw the punch—Oliver Walker—has received a jail sentence of 30 days. He will also need to complete a year of probation and 200 hours of community service, including hazing awareness education. Nicholas was in intensive care for five days and eventually needed to relocate to Chicago for care. He continues to suffer from migraines and memory problems, and he was never able to return to school.
Does 30 Days Match a Lifetime of Destroyed Opportunities?
As for whether thirty days is appropriate for an assault that will have lifelong repercussions, there are understandably mixed feelings. “Yes, we got a positive outcome,” Nicholas said to the Tallahassee Democrat. “But it’s nowhere near where it should’ve been.”
David Bianchi and Michael Levine, who represented Nicholas in a civil claim we resolved in 2019, also weighed in. “The resolution of the criminal case,” David said, "has been a long time coming but will hopefully send a message to all fraternity members that you cannot perpetuate dangerous and juvenile traditions where people get seriously hurt and get away with it.”
Michael echoed Nicholas’ sentiment, as quoted by WCTV: “30 days in jail doesn’t seem to meet the moment of what Nick is enduring, but at the same time, we recognize that that’s the court’s decision,” he said. “We respect the court’s decision, we respect the criminal justice system."
Nicholas Mauricio’s Warning to Future College Students
Fox News shared a powerful quote from Nicholas, addressed to the students who are planning on joining a fraternity or sorority:
"At the end of the day, even though it may seem like they have all the power, you have more power than them. You can tell them no, and you should tell them no," Mauricio said. "We should all be leaders more than we should be followers. You’ll be able to prevent something bad from happening to you and keep your dignity intact."
While we consider it progress that a hazing perpetrator is finally being held accountable by the criminal court, our hazing firm must continue to fight for courts and legislators to see hazing for the harmful, heinous crime it is. In the meantime, we are proud that our firm was able to secure what Nicholas needed for medical care, allowing him to recover as much as medical technology will allow.