JACKSON, Miss. – A former Omega Psi Phi pledge who alleges he was so severely beaten during the Nu Eta chapter's “Hell Night” that he had to relearn how to walk is now suing the fraternity, the University of Mississippi, multiple other people and organizations.
According to the federal lawsuit, Rafeal Joseph and other pledges were struck repeatedly with a wooden paddle made from a two-by-four plank on April 16, 2023. Afterwards, Joseph went to the hospital where he underwent a blood transfusion and emergency surgery while being treated for bruised ribs, a hematoma, posterior compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis , a severe muscle injury.
The lawsuit alleges Joseph suffered severe emotional distress and could not walk for months. He ultimately dropped out of USM.
Omega Psi Phi Frate