Boulder – Three more former fgraternity members charged in the drinking death of a University of Colorado freshman pleaded guilty Thursday to providing alcohol to a minor.
All three men – Matthew Goode, Charles Denison and John Guido – expressed sorrow and regret for the initiation ritual last September that led to Lynn “Gordie” Bailey’s death.
Guido was the social chairman of Chi Psi and purchased the alcohol for the event, according to a motion from the prosecutor. Goode and Denison drove pledges to the area near Gold Hill where the drinking occurred.
“We’re all so very sorry,” said Denison, adding that the group would do “whatever we can” to educate others and prevent similar deaths.
Attorneys for the men noted that Chi Psi members formed the GORD organization to teach college students about the dangers of alcohol.
Bailey was found dead Sept. 17 in the Chi Psi house after he and 26 other pledges were given copious amounts of whiskey and wine to celebrate receiving pledge pins.
Chi Psi’s national organization revoked the Boulder chapter’s charter in response to Bailey’s death.
Ten of the 12 Chi Psi members who were charged with the Class 2 misdemeanor have now pleaded guilty. Each, including the three who pleaded today, received a 12-month deferred sentence that requires 100 hours of community service and a possible alcohol class. The two remaining charged men – including Daniel Rosenburg, who is scheduled to appear in court today – are expected to enter the same plea.
Goode’s attorney, Barre Sakol, expressed concern that his client would not be in Colorado for the alcohol courses, adding to speculation that the students could be expelled from CU. It is unclear what action, if any, CU officials may take, because they do not make discipline matters public.
Sakol told Judge David Archuleta that Goode wanted to continue at CU, but he said Goode, who is from Illinois, “may not be back in the fall.”
Archuleta agreed with prosecutor John Pickering in charging all 12 fraternity brothers involved “rather than singling out one or two.”
Archuleta said there is a “community belief that this is a cultural problem.”
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 720-929-0893 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.