Trial in Drinking Death Moved to Butte County
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A civil lawsuit over the drinking death of a Chico State University freshman will be tried in Butte County rather than in San Francisco, where it was filed.
The suit was brought by the student’s parents in May against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and nine members of the now-abolished Chico chapter. The lawsuit alleges that they took part in or condoned an alcoholic hazing ritual that led to the Oct. 7, 2000, death of Adrian Heideman, 18, of Palo Alto.
A San Francisco judge upheld defense motions transferring the civil case to Butte County, where the death occurred. Butte County is where most of the defendants live.
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