Tomorrow begins the trial of former LSU fraternity member Matthew Naquin, who was charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Max Gruver in 2017.
The proceedings will likely be difficult to watch for both families as the prosecution and defense take turns tearing down both Gruver and Naquin’s character, according to legal analyst Tim Meche.
"The defense will try to show that Mr. Gruver was a habitual user of drugs and alcohol, and the prosecution will try to show that Mr. Naquin was a bad guy in general," Meche said. Naquin is accused of pressuring Gruver into drinking himself to death during an initiation ceremony for new recruits to the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Phi Delta Theta has since been banned from campus.
While the two sides take turns attacking Gruver and Naquin’s character, Meche says the judge will have to keep the proceedings focused.
"It will be up to the judge to stick to the issue at hand which is, did Mr. Naquin cause the death of Max Gruver," Meche said.
The defense recently lost a challenge that will allow the prosecution to point out that Naquin deleted 700 texts and photos from his phone after he fell under investigation.
Meche says the trial will likely hinge on the testimony of the other members of the fraternity who were witnesses that night…
Other Phi Delta members were charged in the wake of the incident, but it's only Naquin who is facing felony charges.