The plea deal was reached in part because the victims of the hazing also wanted to see the case come to an end because they did not want to testify in court, according to state attorneys. Both sides agreed the case had been very difficult on all sides involved because of the intense media attention it had received, causing humiliation to the victims, which McCully said at that age is sometimes worse than the actual crime.

Defense attorney William Russell filed a motion before Monday's hearing to have to have all proceedings closed to the public because of what he called irresponsible coverage from certain TV stations that posted explicit details of the hazings.

McCully denied the motion, however, saying the media and public were more likely to get the story right if reporters were allowed to attend.

"My policy has always been that media is welcome in the court room until they prove themselves inconsiderate," McCully said.

Because only print media was present Monday, McCully ruled the hearing would remain open, but agreed that all future hearings would be closed.

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