**University of Alabama Students Charged in Fraternity Hazing Incidents**

Several members of a University of Alabama fraternity have been charged following allegations of hazing that involved physical shoving, stepping, and throwing of objects at pledges. The incidents reportedly took place on August 25 and August 28 at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house.

The students charged include Christopher Theodore Molineaux, 22, Grant Henry Rakers, 21, Joshua Donald Ferrito, 22, and Charles William Grey, 20. All face two counts of hazing. Court documents indicate that the hazing episodes were captured on video in the fraternity’s TV room and band room.

Attorney Ben Preston, representing Rakers, urged caution until all evidence is reviewed. "Let's not judge until we see the facts," he commented. Families of Molineaux and Ferrito have declined to comment on the charges, while Grey's attorney, Tommy Spina, argued against criminalizing the failure to report hazing incidents. "I don't understand why failing to come forward is a 'crime,'" Spina said, highlighting the potential fear of retribution that individuals might face.

According to the court documents, videos from the August 25 incident show pledges being led into the band room and forced onto their hands and knees. During this "Rules Night," pledges were allegedly subjected to yelling, physical stepping, pushing, and having items thrown at them, including beer being poured on them.

Further footage from August 28 allegedly depicts pledges being made to perform forced calisthenics, such as wall sits and push-ups, while being yelled at. It has been claimed that during this incident, Molineaux and another fraternity member shoved and struck one of the pledges. Molineaux was specifically seen grabbing the pledge by the shirt, shoving him against a wall, and causing him to lose balance and fall.

Alongside Molineaux, Rakers, Ferrito, and Grey are accused of being present during the hazing events and failing to intervene or report the abuse. Another student, Stefan Maksimovich, 22, was also charged in connection with the August 28 incident. Maksimovich's family has also declined to comment.

The University of Alabama has emphasized that hazing is strictly prohibited under university policy, the Code of Student Conduct, and the law. The university confirmed that an investigation led to the campus police department issuing warrants against several fraternity members. "Hazing violates University policy ... and it is a matter that the University takes seriously," read a statement from the university.