A Creighton fraternity is firing back on the suspension of one its members who's accused of stabbing an 18-year-old woman last weekend.
The local chapter of Phi Kappa Psi said Thursday its investigation of the incident does not match what Christopher Wheeler's family and his lawyer are saying.
In their statement, the Nebraska Beta chapter said they found no evidence Wheeler was forced to take drugs after failing a pledge test.
Wheeler is banned from the campus and fraternity.
FULL STATEMENT:
As reported yesterday, the Phi Kappa Psi National Fraternity has opened an investigation into an incident which occurred over the weekend, involving a former new member candidate of the Nebraska Beta chapter (Creighton University). As is standard operating procedure during situations of this nature, the local chapter has been temporarily suspended to allow for a timely investigation.
Thus far, the local chapter’s independent investigation does not support the allegations and speculation of the parents and counsel of Christopher Wheeler. The “unknowingly ingested drugs” as a fraternity hazing ritual story was, again, not supported. Any alcohol or drugs consumed by Mr. Wheeler appear to have been voluntary.
At this juncture, local chapter is making the media, Creighton family, and Nebraska Beta’s alumni and families of active members and new member candidates aware of the following:
1. Mr. Wheeler became a new member candidate of the fraternity, with 30 other men, on January 27, 2017.
2. There is no truth to the allegation that Mr. Wheeler was forced to consume drugs or alcohol arising out of a hazing or pledge activity.
3. After completing new member activities on campus around 6:15 PM on Friday, February 10, Mr. Wheeler purchased and consumed an unknown amount of alcohol before showing up at the Phi Kappa Psi house after 10:00 PM.
4. Mr. Wheeler was at the Phi Kappa Psi house for less than 30 minutes and returned to his dorm at approximately 11:00 PM.
5. Approximately two hours later, around 1:00 AM, Mr. Wheeler attacked Ms. Spagna, after reports of erratic behavior at the dorm.
6. The Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity has comprehensive policies that prohibit alcohol and drug use in association with all new member activities.
The internal investigations into this matter will continue. The local chapter will cooperate with law enforcement and the university. Neither the National Fraternity nor local chapter will make any further comments regarding the investigations, allegations regarding the incident that occurred this past weekend, or opinions and innuendo floated by third parties, until such time as the investigations are completed.
