Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, 31 January 2001

Battery trial set for 6th UAM student

MONTICELLO -- A trial for the last of six University of Arkansas at Monticello students charged in a hazing-like battery of another student has been scheduled for next month.

Shannon Strickland, 25, of Dermott is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 13. Strickland has pleaded innocent to the charge of third-degree battery, his attorney Charles Sidney Gibson said Tuesday.

The charge stems from the May 1 battery of then-UAM freshman Cedric Smith, who was hospitalized for two weeks after a Phi Beta Sigma fraternity initiation ritual.

The five members who pleaded guilty to the charge said that they took turns paddling Smith.

On Jan. 23, Municipal Court Judge Kenneth Harper sentenced five men to serve 10 days in jail, pay $200 and perform 150 hours of community service. He also ordered the men to pay restitution to Smith, who incurred $40,000 in hospital bills.

The five men are Joe Alexander, 27, of Stuttgart; Terrance Hall, 25, of Dumas; D'Carlos C. Johnson, 23, of Monticello; Peter James IV, 24, of Monticello; and Demetrius M. Calloway, 23, of Monticello.