Another Utah State University student sentenced in alcohol death

Published: Monday, July 6, 2009 5:13 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

LOGAN — One of the Utah State University students charged in connection with the alcohol-poisoning death of a fraternity pledge will spend 14 days in jail.

Christopher Allen Ammon, 20, pleaded no contest in May to unlawful supply of alcohol to a minor, a class B misdemeanor. He was sentenced Monday in 1st District court.

Judge Thomas Willmore sentenced Ammon to 180 days in jail but suspended 166 days of the sentence, according to court records. Ammon will also be placed on probation for six months and pay a $500 fine.

Part of Ammon's probation requires him to complete alcohol counseling, not consume or possess alcohol or drugs, violate no other law, and complete 200 hours of volunteer service at colleges or high schools teaching students about underage drinking, according to court records. He was also told not to be a member of any fraternity.

Michael Starks, 18, died after participating in an initiation ceremony for the then-USU chapter of Sigma Nu. The initiation involved Starks and another pledge being "kidnapped" by Chi Omega sorority women. An affidavit of probable cause states the pledges were stripped down to their boxers and painted in USU school colors.

Story continues below

Sometime during the activity, they began drinking, prosecutors say. They returned to the fraternity house already heavily intoxicated, and a few hours later Starks was found unconscious and not breathing. He died at a hospital shortly afterward.

Eight of the 12 students originally charged in the case have had their cases resolved. Three had the charges dismissed, while five have either pleaded guilty or no contest to some aspect of the charges, according to court records.

— Ethan Thomas

Recent comments

14 days? Threw the book at him eh Judge? Throw the DA in jail for...

THEeyepatch | July 6, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.

He knowingly violated the law and someone ended up dead due to his...

Dumb Comment | July 6, 2009 at 6:10 p.m.

Wow 14 days add up the man hours to prosecute him and all of the...

Anonymous | July 6, 2009 at 5:20 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

I praise the decision to close the cave. One life is to many and it will save...

Finally an excellent idea borne out of tragedy. Kudos to the people that...

Rivalry Week is highly profane

I can't wait to read the excuses the Bougars have after tomorrow's game. I'm...

Logan aims for impact on Wynn

Hey Utah Fans: I am still trying to get over how you all showed us what it...

Tiger you better call me. Sounds like you better take care of the driving on...

I'm a Utah fan, Ute Alumni, and grew up in a family of folks who bleed red....

Don't underestimate gratitude

Underwhelming article this week, Mckay.

Final hurdle coming for TCU

Boise State plays Nevada and TCU gets strength of schedule killer New Mexico....

College football: Big-5 glance

NCAA DI Football Playoff start tomorrow - 16 team format...take some notes.

So when are "We the people" going to say enough is enough and start firing...

Advertisements