Three men plead guilty in hazing death of student

ATHENS, Ohio — None of the first three defendants in the 2018 hazing death of an Ohio University student will face jail time.

They'll go to counseling and do community service instead as part of their deals for pleading guilty.

"In one month from today, it would be his 20th birthday," Wade Wiant said of his son Collin Wiant.

It's a sad reminder for Wade Wiant. Collin died in 2018 while pledging a fraternity at Ohio University.

Wiant was forced to do drugs and drink as part of pledging the fraternity and he died after inhaling nitrous oxide.

Three men were in court today:

Dominic Figlioa, who pleaded guilty to four charges including drug possession and hazing.

Cullen McLaughlin, who pleaded guilty to two charges of drug possession.

And Zachary Herskovitz, who pleaded guilty to drug abuse and hazing.

The men had to hear from the Wiants in court before their sentencing.

"That's a wedding that he will never have. Someone out there who will never be able to be his wife. Grandkids that we will never have," Wade Wiant told the court.

Only one of the men made a statement in court, apologizing: "I should have stopped it, whatever was going on. I still feel terrible that they had to lose a son."

All three will avoid prison and will enter a diversion program with counseling and community service.

All three men could have their records sealed if they successfully complete that diversion program.

Collin's mother, Kathleen Waint, said talking about her son dredges up all the emotions of the last 15 months.

“There’s nothing that could be done that would feel like everything is OK unless we could have Collin walk in the door right now,” Kathleen told WSYX. “It gets more difficult, not easier, and I thought it would get easier but it’s not.”

But they say they're going to continue to do it.

Wade Wiant said what should have been a brotherhood in the fraternity went off the rails.

"This is exactly what Collin would have wanted. He would want us to be strong and he would want us to tell his story and talk about our feelings," said Wade Wiant.

"We need more kindness. We need less bullying and we need more love."

Wiant’s parents said they hope the defendants take a role in leading anti-hazing efforts.

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