SAE Wants Wrongful Death Trial Moved to Tompkins County

23.05.12

As a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against Sigma Alpha Epsilon and several Cornell students progresses, new details have emerged about the events leading up to the death of George Desdunes ’13 last February . 

According to documents filed in the lawsuit by Desdunes’ mother, a “noose” was tied around his neck so tightly that it left “ligature marks.” The noose, the documents say, was used in addition to zip ties and duct tape during the pledging event that preceded Desdunes’ death.

In a separate development, SAE began pushing earlier this month to move the case from New York City, where it was filed, to Tompkins County, arguing that many potential witnesses are in the Ithaca area. 

Desdunes’ mother filed the lawsuit against SAE and several Cornell students in June. The suit seeks at least $25 million in damages.

Desdunes, 19, who was a brother in SAE, was found on a couch at the SAE fraternity house on Feb. 25, 2011, and later died at Cayuga Medical Center.

Source: Cornell University The Cornell Daily Sun