Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 17, 1994 TAG: 9403170118
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
They included two members of a banned fraternity and three members of a recognized fraternity. It is the second time this year that members of Sigma Phi Epsilon, the banned fraternity, have been charged with felonies.
Radford police say the charges are the result of an investigation into a fight at about 3:15 a.m. in the 1200 block of Grove Avenue.
Police say that earlier in the evening, some pushing and shoving between members of the two fraternities had occurred in an apartment building parking lot. Some time later, police say, three members of Phi Sigma Kappa went to an apartment in the building rented by Omar Miskinyar, 21, and entered the residence.
A fight ensued, police said, and two of the Phi Sigma Kappa members were injured and apparently later sought medical treatment.
Miskinyar and Michael R. Conner, 24, of 1117 Fairfax St., were charged with malicious wounding. Both are identified as members of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Three members of Phi Sigma Kappa were charged with entering in the nighttime. They are: Scott Robert Koutnik and John Thomas Hanna, both 23 and roommates who live in the same building as Miskinyar; and Christopher R. Mullins, 22, of the 500 block of Calhoun Street.
Miskinyar, Mullins and Hanna are listed as students in the Radford University directory; Conner and Koutnik are not.
Police said charges were delayed because it was necessary to investigate two versions of the events and because of Radford University's recent spring break.
The five are scheduled to appear in Radford General District Court on May 23, the same day six other Sigma Phi Epsilon members and one member of Tau Kappa Epsilon are scheduled to be tried on charges stemming from a January incident.
The six Sigma Phi Epsilon members face charges of breaking and entering a house and apartment, apparently seeking revenge for a beating a friend suffered, police say. The Tau Kappa Epsilon member was charged with maliciously wounding the man during a fight at a Norwood Street nightspot.
Sigma Phi Epsilon lost its national charter in 1991 after Radford withdrew recognition because of repeated individual incidents that the university believed were fraternity-related. Those incidents included destruction of university property, hazing, disruptive behavior on campus and fighting.
by CNB