By: Ledger Staff
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office issued a release today naming five individuals that have been indicted following the investigation into the binge-drinking death of Rider University freshman Gary DeVercelly in March.
Charged in today’s indictment with aggravated hazing are Ada Badgley, 31, of Lawrence, the director of Greek Life at Rider; Dr. Anthony Campbell, 51, of Lawrence, the dean of students at Rider; and three individuals who were students at Rider University at the time of the incident: Adriano DiDonato, 22, of Princeton, residence director/house master of Phi Kappa Tau; Dominic Olsen, 21, of Kenilworth, a pledge master of the spring 2007 Phi Kappa Tau pledge class; Michael J. Tourney, 21, of Randolph, president of Phi Kappa Tau.
Mr. DeVercelly, who was 18 at the time of his death, died of alcohol poisoning following an evening of binge drinking at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house on the school’s Lawrence Township campus the evening of March 28. Mr. DeVercelly was taken to Capital Health System’s Fuld Campus after he’d lost consciousness and died the following day.
A second Phi Kappa Tau pledge, William Williams, also was admitted to the hospital for alcohol poisoning and was released an hour later.
Aggravated hazing is considered a fourth-degree charge carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and fine of up to $10,000, according to the release.
An indictment is just an accusation, according to the release, and all persons charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
Read Thursday’s The Lawrence Ledger for extended coverage.

