Texas State fraternity member indicted in pledge death
A Hays County grand jury has indicted a Texas State University fraternity member who investigators say provided alcohol to a pledge who died of alcohol toxicity last year, according to court records and District Attorney Wes Mau.
Austin Rice, 20, faces up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine if convicted on the Class A misdemeanor in connection to the death of Matthew Ellis, a pledge of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, in November.
A two-paragraph indictment issued April 11 said Rice provided “alcohol as a gift to a person who (he) knew was under the age of 21.” The document names Ellis, a 20-year-old from Humble, outside Houston.
University records list Rice as a sophomore at the university. The New York Times reported in November that Rice was listed in promotional materials as one of three recruitment captains with Phi Kappa Psi.
The indictment was a result of an investigation by Hays County prosecutors and the San Marcos Police Department.
Citing the pending case, Mau declined to describe the relationship between Rice and Ellis or provide additional information about the circumstances of Ellis’ death.
Officials have previously said Ellis was found dead at an off-campus apartment after he attended an event hosted by the fraternity. Friends found him the next day and called 911 when they realized he was not breathing.
An autopsy report said Ellis had a blood alcohol level of 0.38, more than four times the legal limit to drive in Texas.
Texas State suspended its Greek program after Ellis’ death, but it allowed fraternities and sororities to begin operating again last month if they agree to follow a new set of rules regarding new member education, leadership training and limits on alcohol.
Ellis’ death received national attention and came amid a wave of fraternity deaths across the country as the result of hazing and alcohol abuse.
Staff writer Ralph K.M. Haurwitz contributed to this report.