By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The indictment of eight men on charges related to the fatal alcohol poisoning death of Stone Foltz is not the end of the investigation.
Wood County Prosecutor Paul Dobson said law enforcement officials still want to talk to all those who attended in event that led to the death of the 20-year-old sophomore. That may result in more charges against those indicted as well as other parties.
“The result of this event is catastrophic,” Dobson said at press conference this afternoon (April 29). “I want to say this to the people who were at the event. If you do not even attempt to be part of the solution, you may well be identified as being part of the problem, and we will respond to that.”
Indictments were handed down by the Wood County Grand Jury, which met in special session April 28 against:
- Jacob Krinn, 20, of Delaware on charges of first degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Reckless Homicide, Felonious Assault, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Daylen Dunson, 20, of Cleveland, on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Tampering with Evidence, Obstructing Justice, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Troy Henricksen, 23, of Grove City, Ohio on charges of third degree felony involuntary Manslaughter, Reckless Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, Hazing, and Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws.
- Canyon Caldwell, 21, of Dublin, Ohio on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Tampering with Evidence, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Niall Sweeney, 21, of Erie, Pennsylvania on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Jarrett Prizel, 19, of Olean, New York on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Hazing, and Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws.
- Aaron Lehane, 21, of Loveland, Ohio on charges of Tampering with Evidence, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Benjamin Boyers, 21, of Sylvania, Ohio on charges of Hazing and Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws.
Dobson said the misdemeanor charges against Boyers would be dismissed for the present time, instead his office is focusing on the felony charges.
The other seven have been issued summonses to appear before Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman on May 19 at 1 p.m.
“This is the beginning of the criminal process for these men,” Dobson said. “These men stand innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court.”
He continued: “It is also a step in a continuing criminal investigation, and I want to stress that there is more evidence to obtain, review and consider. There are more people we want to talk to and who want to talk to us.”
Krinn faces the most serious charges. If convicted on all counts, he would face a maximum sentence of 19 years in prison, Dobson said.
The prosecutor described Krinn as Foltz’s fraternity big brother or “big.” In an interview with BG Independent, Foltz’s parents, Cory and Shari Foltz, identified his fraternity “big brother” as someone from Delaware with whom he played basketball.
The charges stem from Krinn’s being involved in the March 4 incident from the beginning until the point he and two others dropped Foltz off at his apartment, where his roommates found him unresponsive. They called police and tried to administer CPR.
Foltz was taken to Wood County Hospital and was then transferred to Toledo Hospital where he died. His organs and tissues were donated.
The Lucas County Coroner ruled his death was caused by fatal alcohol intoxication from hazing. Foltz had a blood-alcohol content of .35, more than four times the legal limit.
The incident, which Dobson called “an event with a party atmosphere,” involved those pledging to the fraternity being ordered to drink a fifth of high proof alcohol, while the rest watched. “Hazing was an integral part of this event.”
Foltz drank most or all of his bottle.
Along with Krinn, Henricksen is also facing reckless homicide charges because of his role in the event. Dobson noted that the multiple similar charges give a jury an option. If a defendant is convicted of all of them, they will only be sentenced for one.
Attorney Eric Long, counsel for Henricksen issued the following statement: “This is clearly a tragic matter; however, it is not being helped by the indictment of Troy Henricksen. The facts are clear, even at this early juncture that he is not criminally liable. I am confident that the court process will bear that out, hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Asked if he hoped the case would make a statement about hazing, Dobson said that is not his job. His job is to prosecute the case and let the prosecution make the statement.
“My hope is already gone because my hope is never to have to take one of these cases. My hope now is to provide as much justice and closure to these folks as I possibly can,” he said in reference to Foltz’ parents who stood holding each other behind him.
They did not speak at the conference.
Earlier today a statement was issued on their behalf from the law firm of Cooper Elliot:
“We are grateful for all of the hard work conducted by local law enforcement and the Prosecutor’s office, and we are confident they will make sure justice is served. However, today is just one step in the right direction. Swift action also needs to be taken by government officials and university presidents nationwide to abolish fraternity hazing. We are living every parent’s worst nightmare and will not be at peace until fraternity hazing is seen for what it truly is — abuse. It’s unacceptable, and in Stone’s case, it was fatal. How many injuries and deaths will it take for people in positions of power to do the right thing? We demand zero tolerance. Anything less will result in additional innocent lives lost and parents like us pleading for change.”
BGSU spokesperson Alex Solis issued a statement from the university that read in part: “Bowling Green State University is appreciative of the hard work and diligence done by the prosecutor and a grand jury to seek justice and hold those accountable in the tragic death of student Stone Foltz.”
Near the end of the press conference, Dobson reiterated: “It’s really not my intention by the prosecution of this case to send a message. My prosecution is based on the facts of the case by the collective legal and factual determinations that were made by my team based on the information obtained by the police department.
“Certainly it’s my hope and intention that this case would be treated meaningfully, seriously and intentionally. That’s how we prosecute cases. Obviously I want this to be the only and last time that this type of case is prosecuted in Wood County, and please God, let it be the last time it is prosecuted in the United States.”
