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Sunrise was hours away when Zach Corcoran and three friends returned to The Exchange, an apartment complex for students in College Station.

Zach and the others were drunk. The drinking had started at dinner, followed by more drinks and shots in the Northgate district, a strip of bars and restaurants across from Texas A&M University. The only sober person in the group was Leah Cook, who shared an apartment with Katherine Helle.

The drinking continued at The Exchange. Leah and her boyfriend, Reid Ashton, argued in her bedroom. Zach sat in a love seat and slipped on a pair of Leah's sunglasses. Katherine stepped outside to make a phone call.

About 3 a.m., Eddie Helle and his friend Steven Ramirez, both members of the Corps of Cadets, arrived at the apartment. Eddie grabbed a bar stool and sat down.

"Why are you wearing girls' sunglasses," he asked Zach. "Are you gay?"

Zach said no.

"Well, remind me not to sit next to you," Eddie said.

"Okay, that's cool."

"Are you sure you're not gay?"

"Hey man, I don't think you really know me," Zach said.

The mood in the apartment had turned tense, and Katherine grabbed her brother and took him outside. Eddie came back and told Steven they should leave.

Zach stood from the love seat. "I think that would be a real good idea," he said.

Eddie rushed Zach and a fight started. Punches were thrown and the two men grappled, slamming against a wall. A clock fell and smashed on the carpet. Katherine grabbed at Eddie and Zach but was thrown to the ground. The men tumbled and landed between the love seat and a coffee table­.

Steven lifted Zach and pinned him prostrate on the couch. Zach struggled to free himself, rubbing the skin from his elbows and forearms. Eddie hit Zach until he screamed. The left side of his face caved in.

"Chill the fuck out!" Zach yelled. "Look at my fucking face!"

Leah and Katherine pleaded for the men to stop. Eddie stepped back, then Steven. Blood covered the love seat. Eddie and Steven walked out the front door and headed back to the Corps dormitory.

Zach was taken to the emergency room at the College Station Medical Center. He had a concussion, a broken nose and "blowout" of the bones that held his left eyeball in place.

John Corcoran, Zach's father, received the call several hours later. He raced to College Station from Corpus Christi to find Zach at a friend's home. Zach was unconscious, and almost unrecognizable to his father.

John Corcoran stayed with Zach in College Station for more than a week while he recovered. Trisha Corcoran, Zach's mother, joined the family as well. One day, they talked while Zach rested in bed. His father asked, "What do you want us to do?"

"If anything, I don't want those guys to ever wear a ring from A&M," Zach said.

John understood. He attended A&M and had been a member of the Corps. He had sent all three of his sons to College Station. He wore his own Aggie ring with pride.

Those feelings have changed.

Two years have passed since the fight and the Corcorans feel they have seen no justice from Texas A&M University or the Brazos County criminal justice system. They have received few answers as to why Helle and Ramirez have walked away from two prosecutions with no punishment.

John Corcoran believes the two cadets have been protected by the university and the "Aggie network" that he says runs the justice system in Bryan and College Station. He now hopes to find any answers as to why the truth has been hidden from his family.

Zach has little faith any answers will come. He says it hurts to see the way his father has nearly fallen apart since the fight. Zach never believed in "the system" or in justice. He knows the way power and influence works, he says, and in College Station, the Corps rules.

"They protect their own," Zach says. "That's okay, but not against civilians. The enemy, sure, but not against a damn college student."
_____________________

Early in his career, as a young oil and gas driller, John Corcoran was riding through New Mexico in a rental car with several potential business partners on a scouting trip for well sites. One of the men in the backseat, who was from New Mexico, knew that John Corcoran and the driver were recent grads from Texas A&M. He decided to break the ice with an Aggie joke.

The driver responded, "You know what's bruised and bloody and dumped on the side of the road? The next son of a bitch in this car who tells an Aggie joke."

No one laughed, and John understood. He had spent six years at Texas A&M and four years in the Corps. He rose to the rank of commanding officer of a battalion. He was named to the Ross Volunteers, a unit that acts as honor guard for the governor of Texas. He also served on the Ross Volunteers Firing Squad, a high honor in the Corps of Cadets.

"When I was there, that was a big deal," John says.

Now John has a comfortable life in Corpus Christi. He keeps a large corner office on the 20th floor of the Wells Fargo building in downtown, where he likes to watch storms develop and roll across the bay.

He built his oil and gas company into a success, buying land and drilling, waging on which wells would pay big.

As John raised his family and built his business, Texas A&M was always at the forefront. He relied on a large network of other A&M grads he met while earning two degrees in the petroleum engineering department. He took his three sons to numerous A&M football games, eventually buying season tickets in the end zone. John named the family dog "Aggie."

Three decades after John Corcoran left A&M, Zach, John's middle son, prepared for college. There was only one choice for Zach.

"Growing up, I remember my dad always had on his A&M ring," Zach says. "I always thought, 'I'm going to have one of those one day.' I thought that was the coolest thing."

But Zach never wanted to follow his father and join the Corps. When John Corcoran went to A&M, the Corps had a membership of about 6,000. When Zach entered the university in 2002, the numbers had dropped to about 2,000, despite a total student enrollment that had swelled to more than 40,000. Today, Corps membership remains around 1,800.

"On campus, people perceive the Corps as an easy way to get in the school," Zach says. "They're not respected, in that sense."

Colonel Rick Mallahan, a retired Air Force officer, has held one of the top positions in the Corps for the last seven years. Mallahan says that recruiting has become a challenge, and the group has made an effort to style itself into a student organization, rather than a military ­operation.

"Most freshmen, we'll take them," Mallahan says. "Our biggest challenge is getting them accepted into the university."

Students with relatives who were in the Corps account for about half of the group's membership. A large number of cadets also come from high school ROTC programs, Future Farmers of America or 4-H programs.

The Corps still has strong military roots. Juniors and seniors are eligible to sign a contract with any branch of the military, and, upon graduation, will enter as officers. About 40 percent of cadets currently in the Corps have signed military contracts.

According to Mallahan, the Corps loses about 100 cadets each year for academic reasons, but he says discipline is rarely a ­problem.

"Our standards mirror the university. Same rules apply, same sanctions apply," Mallahan says. "If you fight, you'll be in trouble."

The biggest trouble for the Corps has been hazing. About ten years ago, the Fish Drill Team, a competitive drill unit within the Corps, was banned from the university after students reported being hazed to the point of assault.

One student was forced to do push-ups while older cadets smashed his hands with a rifle. Other Drill Team members had their faces rubbed with abrasive pads and their lips twisted hard enough to draw blood. One student was given a knife and told to cut himself.

In 2003, 77 cadets who were members of the Parsons Mounted Cavalry were accused of hazing and expelled from A&M. That decision was later overturned when six of the cadets sued the university, arguing that the school's disciplinary hearings violated their legal rights.

The county attorney refused to file any criminal charges against the cadets, and a district judge ordered the university to reverse its punishment, reinstate the students and pay about $350,000 in legal fees.

Hearing similar stories dampened Zach's interest in joining the Corps. He believes the fight with Helle and Ramirez was caused by aggressiveness instilled through Corps hazing rituals.

"They're going to go take it out on someone else, because they can't go take it out on someone inside the Corps," Zach says. "You hurt your own, then you're in trouble."
_____________________

The investigation into the fight began almost immediately. John Corcoran received a call from Carol Binzer, the Dean of Student Life, informing him that the university would look into assault charges against Helle and Ramirez.

That was big news to John. Since the fight occurred at an off-campus apartment, the university didn't have an obligation to do anything. But Binzer decided that the fight warranted an investigation.

John brought his neighbor and attorney, David Bonilla, to College Station to represent Zach. John also contacted Lane Thibodeaux, a criminal attorney in College Station, for advice.

Thibo­deaux told him not to expect anything from the university, especially considering the case involved the Corps.

When Helle and Ramirez received word they would be investigated, they hired attorney Jody Mask.

Mask is a 1996 graduate of Texas A&M and former member of the Corps. He served in the Parsons Mounted Cavalry and worked on the Aggie Bonfire during his junior and senior years.

Mask later attended law school at the University of Houston, and he is still active in the A&M community. He often speaks to groups of cadets' parents, and he once was the keynote speaker at an event at Kyle Field.

Mask refused to allow his clients to discuss the case with the Houston Press.

"Not that my clients have anything to hide," Mask says. "They suffered too. My boys have suffered like you would not believe."

According to Mask, both Helle and Ramirez lost weight and allowed their grades to drop after the fight. They endured constant anxiety, Mask says, from the fear of criminal prosecution and punishment from the university.

The hearings started several months after the fight. The university was represented by several faculty and staff, including ­Mallahan.

During the hearings, Helle and Zach each argued that the other threw the first punch. Both testified that they tried to defuse the situation and stop the fight before it ­happened.

Mallahan asked Zach, "Were you starting to get aggressive to Eddie? Did you feel like you were being aggressive?"

"I'm a really laid-back person," Zach responded. "I was being very calm and I was not being aggressive."

"Especially after you drank a lot?"

"No, I'm not a mean drunk at all," Zach said. "I don't get in fights. You ask anybody about me, I'm one of somebody's most laid-back friends."

"Do you feel that Eddie was trying to engage in a fight," asked Laura Boren, a university representative.

"Exactly," Zach said. "No doubt."

Mallahan said to Helle, "It appears like you kind of did the right thing at first, but when you had the intention to leave, why did you come back?"

"Sir, I came back to get my buddy," Helle said. "That's when he made the comment, 'Yeah, y'all better leave.' I think my pride got the best of me."

Zach told the panel about the pain the fight had caused his family, and the permanent damage he sustained to his eyesight.

"And while these kids were out playing their football," Zach said, "I was stuck isolated in my bed in excruciating pain."

Helle attempted to sway the panel as well.

"I've learned that the smallest little comment may, something so small may turn into such a big deal," Helle said. "I just know that I'll never get in a situation like this again because I've just gone through so much."

The university eventually found Helle and Ramirez guilty of physical abuse, along with several other violations of school code. The Corcorans stayed on campus until the punishment for the cadets was decided.

When the hearing concluded, Boren told the Corcorans that Helle and Ramirez had been suspended from the university for one semester and kicked out of the Corps. Furthermore, Helle and Ramirez were to make an effort to pay Zach's medical bills — which had grown to nearly $60,000 — before they could return to the university. And when they were allowed back on campus, the cadets were ordered to stay 50 feet away from Zach.

John Corcoran was thrilled, and for a short time, he was confident that the university he loved had done the right thing.
_____________________

Months later, the sanctions against Helle and Ramirez disappeared.

Zach had missed the majority of the fall semester after the fight. He moved back to Corpus Christi to recover and had two surgeries to repair the bones in his face. He lost 30 percent of the movement of his eyes — permanent damage — and constantly had to wear an eye patch until another surgery could fix his double vision.

One day on campus, after Zach had returned to A&M, he saw Ramirez walking through the student recreation center. Shocked, Zach approached the cadet and asked him why he was there.

"He told me that all the sanctions against him and Helle had gone away," Zach says.

Zach called his father to tell him the news. John Corcoran had his attorney begin writing letters to the university to find out how and why the punishment had been reversed.

University officials, who had spoken to John Corcoran about the case, including Binzer and Boren, explained that they could no longer discuss anything concerning Helle or Ramirez. The main contact at A&M became Jerry Brown, a university ­attorney.

Brown only confirmed that the sanctions had been dismissed. He offered no explanation, and said that he could not discuss the case due to guidelines established by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law designed to protect students' privacy.

"I'm not ashamed of the way the university handled the situation, that's not why I'm advising them not to talk," Brown says. "It's just not in their best interest."

Bonilla constantly argued that FERPA shouldn't apply because the Corcorans wanted a reason the sanctions had been dropped, not any specific information about Helle or Ramirez.

In a letter to Bonilla, Brown wrote, "While FERPA permits the university to disclose to an alleged victim of any crime of violence, such disclosure is not mandatory. Based on my recommendation, the university declines to disclose the results in this case."

John was shocked, and Bonilla had no legal explanation to offer. Bonilla says the university operated with total disregard for its own written rules.

"Someone intervened and it just went away," Bonilla says. "And to who had enough power to do that, I don't know. It was incredible that they just said, 'We're going to erase this case.'"

The Corcorans then argued to Brown that they were concerned for Zach's safety if Helle and Ramirez were allowed to remain on ­campus.

In an e-mail to Brown, Bonilla wrote, "Zach almost lost eye sight in his left eye as a result of the original incident. He is now recovering and my clients want to eliminate any chances of future problems...Please advise."

Brown responded, "If Zach truly believes Helle and Ramirez present a threat to his personal safety, he should seek a restraining order or withdrawl [sic] from school and transfer to another ­institution."

Today, Brown and Mask contend that the Corcorans have been hypocritical in their fierce "pursuit of justice," because Grant Corcoran, John Corcoran's youngest son, was involved in a fight the same morning as Zach.

After seeing Zach in the emergency room, Grant, who was attending nearby Blinn Junior College, went to the Corps dormitory with a couple friends. When they arrived, eight Corps members, including Helle, were waiting.

Helle and Grant fought briefly, and the cadet suffered a black eye. Texas A&M later placed the students with Grant on probation. Those sanctions never went away, though Helle was never punished for his role in that fight either.

Then, while Zach was in Corpus Christi recovering, he received notice that he was being charged by the university for his role in the fight with Helle and Ramirez. His hearing was scheduled for the start of the spring semester.

But several weeks later, Zach received a letter informing him that his charges had been dropped and the hearing canceled.

"I have no doubt that they used that as a makeup, that they'd make everything equal," John Corcoran says. "Well, it's not."

The Corcorans have never been given any explanation as to why the sanctions against Helle and Ramirez were reversed. Brown says that he may tell the family one day, when "the time is right." Brown would only say that the decision could have implications in other student disciplinary cases, and revealing any information about Zach's case could open the university to future ­litigation.

"[The Corcorans] want to say that the university is hiding something or there's been some cover-up by my office, but that's not fair," Brown says. "I really consider it offensive. I have been offended by the way the Corcorans have approached this ­situation."

Mask says he does not know the reasoning behind the university's decision either. He did say, however, that the disciplinary panel was not fit to issue sanctions that could have lasting consequences on students' lives, an argument similar to what was used in the Parsons Mounted Cavalry hazing case.

"They're not trained in legal processes, they are administrators," Mask says. "And the university investigator, I've never seen a more unprofessional guy in my life."

Mask tried to reach a settlement with the Corcorans before the university hearings began. He wanted to arrange a meeting between the three families to discuss a possible resolution, and offered to pay Zach's medical bills.

The Corcorans told Mask no, adding that they were only interested in justice and would allow "the system" to make that decision.

"There were a lot of people in College Station upset at the Corcorans, at the voracity with which they attacked this case," Mask says.
_____________________

After the university dropped its sanctions against Helle and Ramirez, the Corcorans moved their attention to Bryan, where the criminal case against the cadets was being prepared.

John Corcoran began contacting Brazos County District Attorney Bill Turner, who would handle the case. Because of the severity of Zach's injuries, John Corcoran expected Helle and Ramirez to be indicted on felony assault charges.

The Helle family hired defense attorney Travis Bryan III, great-great grandson of William J. Bryan, the town's original settler. The county courthouse is located on William J. Bryan Parkway.

Bryan had previously served as district attorney in Brazos County — where he hired Turner as an assistant — and served a term on the Bryan City Council. He is currently running for a district judge position in Brazos County.

The case was sent to a grand jury, and the day of the hearing, John paid to fly Leah Cook and Reid Ashton to Bryan to testify. John also prepared packets of Zach's medical records for grand jury members.

The grand jury shocked both sides when it indicted Helle and Ramirez on misdemeanor "A" assault charges, which, at most, are punishable by a fine of $2,000 and a year in jail. The Corcorans wanted a felony, and Bryan and Mask thought the case would be ­dismissed.

Turner sent the case to the office of the county attorney, a position held for nearly 25 years by Jim Kuboviak.

"I asked Kuboviak many times if he would take this to trial if that's what my clients wanted," Bonilla says. "And he said, 'Oh, yeah, we'll fight. We're ready to go.'"

Kuboviak's first move was to assign Thibodeaux as a special prosecutor, which, according to Thibodeaux, is rare for a misdemeanor trial. But Thibodeaux had knowledge of Zach's case, and had worked on a similar assault trial several years prior.

That case, which was billed by the grand jury as a felony, also involved a fight between college students in which the victim suffered injuries similar to Zach's.

Bryan and Mask immediately filed a motion to have Thibodeaux dismissed as special prosecutor since Thibodeaux had previously been contacted by the Corcorans. Lisa Helle, Eddie's mother, also testified that Thibodeaux had threatened her during the grand jury hearing with civil litigation from the Corcorans.

Thibodeaux denies this allegation, and John Corcoran says he has never threatened anyone with a civil suit.

The judge ruled that Thibodeaux could proceed as special prosecutor, and Thibodeaux began preparing for trial. He planned to call Zach's emergency-room doctor, Scott Kimball, who had told the Corcorans that Zach's injuries came from more than "just a fight." He planned to call Leah Cook, who had testified before the university panel that Ramirez had held Zach while Helle hit him. Thibodeaux even planned to bring in the couch where Zach had been pinned.

"I was prepared to go to trial," Thibodeaux says. "I feel I could have presented the case beyond a reasonable doubt."

But a week before the trial, Kuboviak set up a conference call with the Corcorans and Bonilla. Kuboviak had arranged a deal with Helle and Ramirez, and explained that the defendants would pay approximately $50,000 to cover Zach's medical bills.

The Corcorans said no. They wanted a jury to hear the case.

"There was no guarantee that we would win...depending on who the jury believed," Bonilla says. "But at least we'd have a trial."

According to Mask, Helle and Ramirez never officially agreed to the deal, but he says that the Corcorans acted ­unreasonably.

"Their response is always, 'We want justice,'" Mask says, "but they won't be satisfied with anything short of seeing my boys go to prison. Even if they got that, I don't think it would be enough."

The day after the Corcorans refused to accept the deal, Kuboviak arranged another conference call.

"We thought we were going to discuss strategy," John says. "We were a week away from going to trial."

Instead, Kuboviak dropped a bombshell. He said he was completely dismissing the case and offered little explanation why. The only record of Kuboviak's dismissal is his signature on a "Motion to Dismiss" filing. The form lists several options for cause, including "insufficient evidence" or "restitution made" or "complaining witness does not want to prosecute."

But when Kuboviak dismissed the case against Helle and Ramirez, he handwrote on the form, "In the interest of justice."

Kuboviak would not comment on the case, because he says it could still be pending in the district attorney's office. He added that he would not do an interview until March, when the primary elections for the county attorney position in Brazos County are finished.

In a letter to Kuboviak written shortly after the decision to dismiss, John Corcoran wrote, "I found it astonishing that you, who had previously supported the prosecution, did such a sudden and unexpected turnaround...The inference, however, is strong that you succumbed, at the very least, to extraordinary political or personal ­pressure."
_____________________

Soon after, John Corcoran took off his A&M ring and vowed never to wear it again. He encourages Zach to wear his ring — for business reasons — but Zach rarely puts it on.

"You can take any advertisement ever from Texas A&M University, and the first thing that you're going to see is the damn dog and then you see some Corps person," John says. "And they stand for that, God and country and we're so holy. It's not right."

He started pursuing the case on his own. His oil and gas business all but shut down for about six months. Zach woke up several times in the middle of the night to find his father in his home office, working at the computer.

John ardently searched for any information about the people involved. He started filling thick black binders with documents pertaining to Zach's case.

John paid a private investigator $5,000 to find any evidence on who could have influenced the university or the county attorney. John Corcoran estimates he has spent about $100,000 on Zach's case.

The elder Corcoran began receiving phone calls from friends and business associates who expressed concern, including a professor at A&M.

"He told me, 'You have got to let go of this. You're not going to beat Texas A&M University,'" John Corcoran says.

But he did not let go. He started writing letters to the university and prosecutors.

He wrote to Lieutenant General John Van Alstyne, the head of the Corps. "I was a Member of the Corps of Cadets Class of 1968," John wrote. "The actions of the Cadets involved...is not a reflection of the philosophy and Code of the Corps of Cadets."

He wrote to Robert Gates, who, at the time, was the president of Texas A&M. "I have lost all faith in the University that I cherish," John wrote.

John even sent pictures of Zach's injuries to each member of the university's Board of Regents. His whole purpose, he contends, is to receive an answer as to what happened.

"The whole time I've said, 'Is there something I'm missing here?' Clue me in so I can get on with my life," he says. "But they won't tell us anything. What are they scared of?"

John has little hope that he will ever know. The only option remaining, he says, is for the district attorney to reopen the case since it has never been prosecuted. Jarvis Parsons, an assistant district attorney in Brazos County, said that the case appeared to be closed, but added that it could be reviewed.

"We're going to be sitting down and taking a look at the case real soon," Parsons says.

John had planned to purchase billboard space in Bryan and College Station to run a political ad against Kuboviak. The main billboard company in Bryan and College Station, Lamar Advertising Company, declined John Corcoran's request, saying the subject matter was too controversial.

Kuboviak has since announced that he will not run for reelection for the county attorney position, surprising the legal community in Bryan. Kuboviak gave no specific reason, but issued a press release that explained he felt he had accomplished his goals.

"I regret ever having confidence in the system. That drives a knife right through our hearts," John says. "I'm probably more jaded than anyone. I still have a tough time coping."

Helle and Ramirez are currently attending Texas A&M University and remain members of the Corps of Cadets. Both are scheduled to graduate in May.

"I really hope the Corcoran family would get counseling," Mask says. "Everyone needs to just walk away."

Zach, who eventually graduated from A&M with a business degree, had hoped to move to Houston or Dallas after graduation to find a job in the financial industry. But since he had to wear a patch over his eye during his final semester, Zach says he didn't have the confidence to go to interviews when job recruiters visited campus.

So, Zach moved back to Corpus Christi, where his father found him a job with a friend's small finance company. He had another surgery to correct his double vision, but still does not have full movement of his eyes. Doctors have told him to expect more surgeries in the future.

Now Zach has found a job as a financial adviser at a larger company in Corpus Christi. He works downtown, across the street from his father. Zach often walks over to meet his father, and the two have lunch or dinner at the Town Club, blocks away from their offices.

Zach says he feels paranoid when he's in a public place, wondering who is behind him. He sometimes has nightmares about the fight and wakes up sweating. Once, he says, he woke up crying.

"That's the worst part," Zach says. "It's there. It's not going away."

paul.knight@houstonpress.com

Write Your Comment show comments (140)

  1. We have 2 daughters as well as a son-in-law who have graduated from A&M. This incident, probably not isolated if rumor is to be believd, diminishes all the progress made from the all male, Corps dominant reputation which caused my own father from forcibly discouraging our eldest daughter from transferring to A&M in her soph year. She did anyway and she and her youngest sister were proud to be "former Aggies".
    In a post-graduate visit ot A&M with her new husband this youngest daughter experienced her husband being beaten up by some males, no known affiliation to the corp, no charges filed.
    Is College Station (A&M) a safe destination for students of the " non_Corps" persuasion?

    Comment by Sue Speed — January 23, 2008 @ 04:35PM

  2. I have known Zach all of my life. He is one of my dearest friends and has always been like a brother to me. It is an absolute tragedy that Zach was caught in this situation. He wore a patch over his eye for SIX MONTHS!!! To hear Helle's and Ramirez's attorney call them victims is absurd. They literally crushed Zach's face in. Do you know what kind of beating that requires?

    However, ss someone who is in the legal field, and a practicing attorney in Corpus Christi, I feel that the way in which ATM and the District Attorney's Office addressed the issues involved is even more outrageous. Total disregard for justice... Total lack of care for innocent people.

    The Corcorans are a great family and have never done anything to hurt anyone. They simply want answers and have been denied them for even the simplest of questions.

    I have total disgust for ATM. I will never allow my children to attend that "hell school." It lies in the pit of Texas and I wish it would fall into oblivion. Let them keep their damn dog and all that comes with it. If this situation rings true of how the school and surrounding community treat victims, I want no part of it.

    Comment by Clay — January 23, 2008 @ 06:41PM

  3. I am appalled in reading this story. I have always been so proud to be an A&M grad. and this story truly challenges those once positive feelings that I have had toward the university. The pictures of Zach are overwhelming and anyone with commonsense can see that was no "just a fight." This situation is only negative press for texas A&M. Standing up for what is Justice and what is right would only serve to benefit the university.

    Comment by Gretchen Adam — January 23, 2008 @ 07:17PM

  4. What happened to that young man is a tragedy. But instead of calling it what it was: A&M students get into a fight where alcohol is involved, the well respected newpaper known as the houston press decides to pin it on the Corps. I wonder if this same reputable newpaper goes around and reports on all of the bar fights in Houston. What is the difference? I bet some of the injuries are just as bad, if not worse, unfortunately. Just because these guys had something in common then there must be a huge conspiracy. How many alcohol related fights go unpublished? Seems like the Corps is a little too easy of a scapegoat to any educated person. The Corps is a military organization that teaches leadership and character but some people have further to go than others, obviously. The fact that the organization exists to try to instill these qualities is the difference that A&M offers. It is what makes A&M different than other schools. Unless you have been through it, it is difficult to understand. Please do not judge the Corps for the actions of two students. All people make mistakes, and I'm sure that those two guys weren't the only ones making them that night.

    Comment by Steve — January 23, 2008 @ 08:08PM

  5. After reading this article my feelings for Texas A&M have changed a lot.Allowing these 2 guys to get off the hook with no punishment is an outrage.

    Comment by Paul — January 23, 2008 @ 09:03PM

  6. I am a long time friend of Zach’s and just looking at those pictures and knowing it all started because of a pair of sunglasses makes me sick to my stomach. You know usually the ones that are THAT homophobic are just in denial… ;)

    I graduated from A&M in 2006 and reading this story disgusts me. I hope he gets the justice he deserves for his sake and A&M’s.

    Zach, I and am so proud of how far you have come and how courageous you have been in these past two years. Those guys have to wake up every morning knowing what they did and that is something no judge can dismiss.

    Comment by Mary Beth — January 23, 2008 @ 09:28PM

  7. who ever made that **** comment about houston press pinning it on the corp. no offense but the corp is probably one of the least respected groups post year 2000. their lack of respect for classes, females, morals, public standards, and most of all what is right and wrong. God help those two unfortunate souls that did this to zach. they may have gotten off clear and free this time but their justice on years to come will come back to haunt them. corp of cadets at aTm has gone in a downward spiral, this is one of the few instances that goes public, but their are many others just like it that put shame to the name of the corp at texas a&m.......commanding officers at texas a&m, how about you start demanding respect and dedication from you members otherwise why do it??????????? ......pathetic and disgusting is all i have to say about texas a&m university in handling this situation..... I am class of dec. 2006 and cannot begin to explain how sad i am that this happened and the university i once thought so highly of could let honor, integrity, justice, respect slip right through the cracks because of some alterior motive.

    all i can say is WOW

    -adam

    Comment by adam noyes — January 23, 2008 @ 09:34PM

  8. What happened here is atrocious. As a graduate of Texas A&M, I am still shocked that to this day nothing has happened to the 2 students involved in the assault. I have been a close friend of Zach's for over 10 years and I have always known him to be an honest person. He has never started a fight with anybody. It is not in his nature.

    It is just so easy to say that you cannot blame Texas A&M and the Corps for the actions of two students. Agreed. However, you can blame the University and the Corps for their refusal to take action. Where is the accountability in society today? We are so worried about protecting the rights of the accused, but what about the rights of the victims? The attorney suggested that they should pursue a civil suit. This is not a case about money. It is about justice. Of course the Corcorans keep saying that they want justice. What if this was your son? What would you want? Would you want anyone to suffer as much as Zach did?

    To all of my fellow Aggies out there, what are we so proud of? A&M preaches and prides itself on the traditions and unity of the student body. When something like this it happens it shows that A&M does not practice what it preaches. A&M only practices its' philosophies when it favors the school. What a great life lesson to teach the two Corps members. Just throw some money around to the right people and you can get away with anything.

    Comment by Matt — January 23, 2008 @ 10:33PM

  9. It is time someone wrote about this situation. I witnessed Zach's face 16 hours after his assault, it was nearly unrecognizable. I have known Zach since birth and he is a good, fun-loving kid. I realize boys fight, especially when alcohol is involved, but this was more that just a fight, it was a brutal unfair beating. It took one boy to hold him down and the other to smash his face in. What's fair about that? Check out the bruises to his neck where he was held! I have known John and Tricia Corcoran for a long time and they are very kind, generous people that adore their sons. They could care less about receiving any money from this incident. All they wanted was to see some fair punishment for this CRIME, and some answers why this case mysteriously went away!. Would any good parent want anything less?

    Comment by Pam — January 23, 2008 @ 11:07PM

  10. I thank the author of the article. The two that committed the crime should be in jail. Justice was not served here.

    Zach should file a civil suite against the ones that committed the beating.

    George

    Comment by George Worley — January 24, 2008 @ 01:55AM

  11. Why does A & M even have student codes??? How does the attorney Brown have the nerve to say to a grad. senior to change universities?? Why will the corp guys not go to trail if they do not have anything to hide?!? It's ( A & M ) just a huge corporation making $$$$$, big $$$$$ without the interest of the student!!!! What's with the ego of that Bryan guy, Mask and Kuboiak ???? One would think to get rid of the bad apples in the corp would be a good thing instead of protecting them. Don't ask my son or daughter to serve with them in battle!!

    Comment by Patricia — January 24, 2008 @ 06:27AM

  12. The poweres that be realize that these two thugs are just what the military desires and creates. They also realize recruiting is becoming difficult because young people are beginning to realize their govt. is corrupt. So of course, they will be protected, they are "heros".

    Comment by fred — January 24, 2008 @ 07:46AM

  13. Thanks to the author, the editor and the newspaper for publishing this piece. I hope this story gets more and more coverage so that the Corcorans, who were blatantly and unjustly wronged by the politics surrounding the Corps and A&M, in addition to the actions of the two criminals, can receive justice. It is sad that in this day and age people can do things like this and get away with it so completely. What kind of a coward holds a man down and lets his friend pound that man's face in for such a benign remark? The same kind of coward who dismisses the case for no reason because of political pressure, all in the name of the A&M family. It just makes me sick that a nice family like the Corcorans have to go through something like this and can not even have their day in court because "my boys" should be above the law. Nice work, A&M.

    Comment by Chad Smith — January 24, 2008 @ 09:25AM

  14. It is unfortunate victims are not protected by Texas A&M University or the legal system in the state of Texas. It is not unreasonable to want to go for justice by a jury trial when your child has sustained permanent injuries. Jim Kuboviak dismissed this case in the " interest of justice". It seems to me from reading this article that he is afraid of justice. Texas A&M is afraid of justice. I hope the Corcoran family continues to pursue justice for their son since the people appointed to that job seemed to have failed. Thank-you Paul Knight for writing this story and to the Houston Press for publishing it.

    Comment by joanie brody — January 24, 2008 @ 10:05AM

  15. "IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE". Who came up with that line and WHY? Is it that easy to get a case with merit dismissed? If this article is correct, and I assume it would not have been published otherwise, justice wasn't served for anyone involved. No one wants to put a black mark on Texas A&M, it is a great University. I imagine that it is also painful for Mr. Corcoran to acknowledge that the school that he has loved and supported so dearly, is not willing to give him an explanation why they dismissed the charges. The Corcorans are entitled to know, they have felt the brunt of the physical and emotional pain and financial loss. As far as Eddie and Steven(WEIGHT LOSS AND ANXIETY)EXCUSE ME, that doesn't count!! What do they expect after what they did to Zach, get a medal. Maybe someone should take a close look at the DA who felt compelled to dismiss the case just before trial. Who has enough influence to get it dismissed (The attorneys? The University? The other families?). Something doesn't seem right here. Does somebody have something to hide? Doesn't Zach deserve his day in court so he can let it go, regardless of the verdict? Why not let a jury, not the DA, decide if his assault warrants punishment for the other boys. When has it come to a point in our society that kids are not deemed accountable for their behavior? Something has to give, and I think the victim has lost his rights by being denied this trial. Someone needs to stand up and take another look at this case.

    Comment by Allison — January 24, 2008 @ 10:54AM

  16. As a graduate of Texas A&M and having grown up in Corpus Christi, I am OVERLY apalled by this situation. Through the grapevine I had heard of Zach's incident but never the details and surrounding issues of the case. I cannot believe the utter disdain and lack of respect, honor, and honesty the University and the legal system of the Brazos County have put forth in this instance. I am forever changed by the actions or should I say lack of actions of the local judicial system. I hope Zach and his family continue to fight for the justice he rightly deserves.

    Comment by Gwyn — January 24, 2008 @ 10:54AM

  17. Some pinhead wrote: "I wonder if this same reputable newpaper goes around and reports on all of the bar fights in Houston. What is the difference? I bet some of the injuries are just as bad, if not worse, unfortunately. Just because these guys had something in common then there must be a huge conspiracy. How many alcohol related fights go unpublished? Seems like the Corps is a little too easy of a scapegoat to any educated person. The Corps is a military organization that teaches leadership and character but some people have further to go than others, obviously. The fact that the organization exists to try to instill these qualities is the difference that A&M offers. It is what makes A&M different than other schools. Unless you have been through it, it is difficult to understand. Please do not judge the Corps for the actions of two students. All people make mistakes, and I'm sure that those two guys weren't the only ones making them that night."

    The difference is that people who victimize others by committing crimes of assault with serious intent are prosecuted and usually to the full extent of the law if and when they're identified. This was no ordinary fight. Anyone who beats a person to the point that this young man was, obviously intended to do permanent and serious damage if not worse. And in the name of all that's holy, don't try and pin their actions on some type of military training. As the widow of a career Marine who was, I can assure you, a lot saltier and tougher than any Aggie cadet, I can tell you that the military also teaches self-discipline. The young man who in my mind bears the greater burden of guilt wasn't in a war zone - he was in his sister's livingroom! He acted out of spite, ego and viciousness and should be punished.

    I would also like to address the comment about the young man's family needing counseling. That is a load of pig crap from the mouth of an apathetic loser. I say bully for you! If Zach was my son, brother or friend, I would be just as tenacious and determined in my desire for justice to see that these young men are punished in accordance and appropriately for the crime they committed - and make no mistake - what they did to Zach was a crime. God bless you, Zach.

    Comment by Dove — January 24, 2008 @ 11:11AM

  18. The University of Aggy is, and has always been, an embarrassment to the state of Texas.

    Comment by Stephen — January 24, 2008 @ 11:49AM

  19. What an eyeopener!!! How can a University of such magnitude sweep something like this under the rug? If they can't do anything about this case, they need to explain WHY to the Corcorans. They deserve that. It doesn't seem like an unreasonable request. I don't understand what happened to the legal case Brazos County was putting together. Why did it SUDDENLY get dismissed just days before the trial, after so many hours were spent preparing for it and appointing a special prosecutor? Something's fishy here, go figure! Who pulled the rug off from under them? I hope the DA sleeps well at night knowing he dropped the ball on this case! I don't think I would be any less tenacious than the Corcorans in trying to prosecute the 2 cowards that held their son down and beat his face to a pulp. Good parents are like that!! A good old fashion one on one bar room fight is not the same as this brutal assault, and it needs to go to trial. Are we teaching our kids they are "above the law" if we have the right strings to pull? Is that how we were raised, I think not? It should be the same for everyone, you do the crime, you do the time. I wonder what the DA's take on this case would be, if it were his son or grandson. Would it still be "IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE", (what a crock), to dismiss the case. I would hope not. Maybe after the elections in March, they will get someone in office who cares about the victims rights, more than politics. This case needs to be reviewed again, justice was not served and the Corps comes off looking bad. It basically is wrong to the core... An Embarrassed Aggie

    Comment by jon — January 24, 2008 @ 12:43PM

  20. While I am sorry that this guy got his face smashed in, how about he take a little personal responsibility? He was drunk and started talking smack to two huge dudes. Does he really not expect to get his ass kicked? You can't go around acting like you are a big shot and not have the skills to back it up, or you end up getting your face messed up. When I don't want to get my assed kicked, I keep my mouth shut. When I am willing to get into a fight, I speak up.

    Comment by Nate — January 24, 2008 @ 01:27PM

  21. Prayers to Zach and his family. As hardcore as I am about the University of Texas, I couldn't possibly fathom not wearing my ring and losing all pride with my beloved school. Rivalry aside, I'm not at all surprised with how things are run in College Station. I've been up there to party on several occasions and those dorks run around like they own the place.

    Perhaps the student body should rise up. A&M needs to deal with change, because it’s happening. These 2%'ers are coming in year by year in larger numbers. Soon enough, the school on the Brazos won't need the corps to protect the Aggie Spirit because they're killing it.

    The pimply faced geeks who play GI Joe on campus are destroying what being an Aggie is all about. I don't know exactly what that is, but to my aggie friends it is everything in the world to them.

    Hook'em

    Comment by John — January 24, 2008 @ 01:30PM

  22. Good going Dove! Sounds like that pinhead thinks more of the university, than he does of the victim. Wonder if he has sons, probably not, probably can't relate, probably puffed up ego. Hate to break his bubble, but not everyone thinks the corps or A&M is so wonderful, they have thugs too, and they shouldn't be allowed to get away with crimes under the umbrella of the university. Just no way that is right..Wrong..Wrong..Wrong..Every victim deserves his day in court. This is America...

    Comment by Bob — January 24, 2008 @ 01:35PM

  23. You drink,and fight you stand a good chance of getting your butt whipped. Sounds like this is what happened, except Zach can't get over it and get on with his life. You'd think before messing with the Corps....this is what our Military is made of.

    Comment by Patti — January 24, 2008 @ 01:41PM

  24. Looks like Nate and Patti can't read. Re-read the story and get your facts straight before you post another ignorant comment....a fair fight is not when one guy is holding you down and the other is punching you. Any monkey can win a fight when the other guy is held down unable to defend himself. If they were Real Men they could fight without the other one's help...hmmmm looks pretty gay to me

    Comment by Lynn — January 24, 2008 @ 02:12PM

  25. Sorry Patti, but I dont think our military is made up of school yard bully's that take 2 to 1 advantage over civilians! From those I've known, they are pretty great people. You are right on drinking and fighting, but this case is more than just a friday night fight, it was booked as an assault, going to trial with merit, then poof it went away! Wonder who has that kind of clout to make it happen. Smells like a rat to me. In America we still have freedom of speech, and shouldn't have to endure $60,000 in medical bills to exercise that right, not even in Aggieland. Assault is assault, no matter what spin you try to put on it. Why do you think the thugs were so scared, they knew they were in major trouble. Case needs to be reviewed, no DA has the right to deny anyone, with any case, from his day in court if he wants it. You would want yours, you are entitled to it as well.

    Comment by vic — January 24, 2008 @ 02:31PM

  26. The father is/was right in fighting for his son as hard as he has. The ATM should be ashamed for giving in to pressure and trying to sweep this under the rug. Claiming FERPA rights is ridiculous in this case. What a sad state of affairs the CORP has become. Shameful indeed.

    Comment by bford — January 24, 2008 @ 02:37PM

  27. Editor

    As a proud graduate of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets class of 2004, thank you for publishing the most lop-sided and liable article that I have ever read in what you consider a newspaper. Your article presents my beloved Corps as a hateful and malicious organization. The actions of two cadets do not give your publication the right to present these actions as the actions of the rest of members of the Corps and graduates of the Corps. This is an individual court case, the Corps members or graduates took no part in these legal proceedings.
    In addition, the Commandant of the Corps and the University did punish the two young gentlemen. Does probation ring a bell? I am very sure that is considered a form of punishment. Also, this is not a cut and dry legal dispute, as none are, so it should not be presented in that fashion.

    Furthermore, what did the Cavalry and recruiting have to do with this particular case?
    First of all, those members of the Cavalry were severly punished by the Corps, the University and some were charged in the Court of Law.
    Second, read the news, all of Branches of the U.S. military and military organizations (Aggie Corps, the Citadel) are having a hard time with recruiting members.
    This article is obviously an out-right attack on The Aggie Corps, Texas A&M University, me and my Corps buddies.

    -Jonathan McBride
    Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Class of 2004

    Comment by Jonathan Mcbride 04 — January 24, 2008 @ 02:37PM

  28. I would like to respond to # 23 Patti. I question the comment "You'd better think before messing with the Corps... this is what the military is made of" . The grandfather of this child served honorably in our US military for four years. I am a US citizen and respect our military and do not feel they would do this to another human being. do you really believe this is what our military is made of?

    Comment by joaniebrody — January 24, 2008 @ 05:13PM

  29. 1913 - 466 students expelled for horse whipping freshmen (keep in mind, there were only a couple thousand students at the time).

    1946 - The Fish Drill team was moved off campus to protect them from corps hazing.

    1984 - A grand jury indicted four Texas A&M University students today on misdemeanor criminal charges in the DEATH of a Corps of Cadets member who died after being rousted from bed and forced to perform "motivational exercises." The charges were filed in the death of Bruce Goodrich.

    1991 - William H. Mobley, the university president, appointed a committee it investigate after several women complained that they had suffered abuse from male cadets who resent their presence in the corps. The panel stated:

    "In our view, these acts are much more pervasive than statements by corps leaders would indicate. There appear to be more than a 'few bad apples' and the excuse that 'boys will be boys' is not acceptable. What is most disturbing is that some of these are not even recognized as acts or harassment and discrimination!"


    1995 - On Saturday night my roommates, some friends from out of town and I attended a Halloween party. It was a costume party on a ranch, and we thought it would be fun to dress up and go. When we got there the first thing we saw was a group of boys dressed up like members of the Ku Klux Klan...It was a Corps party, and the impression made by some of the cadets was abominable...Had it been anyone in the city dressed up this way, I would have been offended, but these guys were obviously in the Corps
    -- from a letter that appeared in The Battalion, Nov. 2, 1995 signed by six people

    1997 - Six Texas A&M University cadets have been indicted on 60 misdemeanor counts after accusations they beat, tortured and humiliated freshmen over five months beginning in November.

    Fish drill team was disbanded in 1997 after upperclassmen physically assaulted a freshman. Nine upperclassmen were suspended from the Corps for hazing.

    1998 - members of the Corps of Cadets who assaulted a freshman female Corps member at a bonfire site have been identified, the cadets who attacked the woman were acting under instructions from a male sophomore cadet. The female cadet was physically assaulted at a bonfire site Oct. 31 when two male cadets tackled her and began to 'punch her with closed fists,' according to the police report.

    1999 - 20 active participants in a hazing are investigated concerning the assault of a former freshman Corps of Cadets member, an 18 year old woman. [did they not learn anything the year before?]

    1999 - A student lost a testicle because of a “wedgie”.

    2002 - 23 students from the Parsons Mounted Cavalry - a student commander in the Cavalry reported that hazing had occurred. The offenses ranged from beatings with ax handles to throwing a mixture of horse manure and water on students who had misbehaved.

    2002 - Stephen Brockman, a member of Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets, arrested for attacking a Nebraska fan after the NU - A&M football game.

    2002 - 77 cadets from the university's elite Parsons Mounted Cavalry singled out for punishment after 300 blows with ax handles on 27 sophomore cadets.

    2002 - COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Texas A&M University police are investigating about a dozen photos found at the yearbook office which show students, believed to be members of the Aggie Band, naked, gagged and bound with duct tape.

    2003 - Texas A&M University has suspended the prestigious Ross Volunteer Honor Corps harassing anti-war protestors. [boy, Jonathan, it sure does sound like you and your “beloved Corps” sure had a good time while you were there!]

    2005 - then there’s always John Richmond Sullivan, a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and a member of the Parsons Mounted Cavalry who was arrested for flinging a shovel full of manure.

    2006 - Finally, Corey Ryan Armstrong, a junior geography major and member of the Corps of Cadets Squadron 12, was released on bond after being arrested Friday at his campus dorm. Armstrong, 21, was charged with 17 counts of Internet child pornography when an Internet source provided investigators a tip that he was posting child pornography online.

    "Your article presents my beloved Corps as a hateful and malicious organization."

    Well Jonathan, I'd say that pretty much sums it up very nicely.

    Comment by Michael — January 24, 2008 @ 05:22PM

  30. What a total disregard for human life. What is wrong with Texas A & M that they don’t have the guts to prosecute 2 Corp members for almost killing another human being over a silly comment? A & M prides itself on honor and integrity and discipline and all of these traits were ignored.
    I would like to comment on Nate’s letter above. This was not a fight!! A fight involves 2 people fighting on equal terms. Zach was helpless as he was held down by Steven Ramirez, while Eddie Helle just beat him up. Helle could have very easily killed Zach. I wonder if he had, how A & M would hide that. Zach will have permanent injuries to remind him of this attack all his life. The fact that attorney Jody Mask said that “his boys” had suffered is nothing but a big joke! This was a felonious attack by 2 bullies and these boys need to be charged with the felony that they deserve. Let the courts decide.
    I hope that Texas A & M will follow the legal protocol and prosecute Ramirez and Helle and hold them accountable for their actions.
    I feel the Corcoran’s have every right to demand answers from the university and the Brazos County criminal justice system. The Corcoran’s are not after money - they are after justice.
    I think Paul Knight should be commended for having the guts to write this article about Texas A & M and the Corp and showing all sides of the story. I just hope Texas A & M has the same kind of guts and shows that it will not stand for this kind of injustice and will charge “their boys” with felonious assault.

    Comment by Marolyn Smith — January 24, 2008 @ 05:24PM

  31. Marolyn,
    You ask how Texas A&M might have handled it if Zach had died? Look at the comment above.

    In 1984, four Corps members KILLED a man and were charged with "MISDEMEANOR criminal charges".

    The more things change, the more they stay the same.

    Comment by Michael — January 24, 2008 @ 05:33PM

  32. RE: Comment by Michael

    Congratulations Micheal, you just showed numerous cases of how cadets were punished due to acts of misbehavior, on the comments page of an article that states that the "Corps and the University" misbehavior goes unpunished

    Also, find a military organization that for over for 125 years has had no cases of hazing. Will NOT be the Marine Corps, Navy or all 3 Academies.
    Ever heard of shell backing in the US Navy? Doubt you ever have been in any military organization or you went in and could not hack it and punched out.
    Admit it micheal, you could not handle the Corps.

    -Jonathan McBride
    Corps of Cadets Graduate Class of 2004

    Comment by Jonathan McBride — January 24, 2008 @ 05:51PM

  33. I am very familiar with the facts of this case, and I believe that Paul Knight and the Houston Press have done a commendable job in reporting these events. I have always respected Texas A & M University (in spite of my University of Texas Law Shcool background, and I have not hesitated to recommend A&M to college age children of my friends. However, the Zach Corcoran experience (as well as other A&M situations that have come to light) has led me to seriously question the integrity of much of the A&M system and the relevance of the Corps as it exists today. I strongly support a sound military program on all major University campuses and encourage participation by young men and women who are military bound. BUT, if the program is to continue as something more than the typical ROTC type program practiced at other major universities —i.e., a Corps with its special programs, esprit de corps, segregated dormitories, etc.—it should entail mandatory military service upon graduation for all able bodied graduates (even if the needs of the service limit the active duty time). At present, the Corps is becoming a glorified substitute for a fraternity system, claiming a somewhat elitist or separatist status on campus because of a tradition that, for all practical purposes, has been abandoned by the times. The all military aspect of A&M (that turned out some of the nation's finest officers) has become-- for good or bad--relegated to history, and the co-ed non-Corps developments have helped make A&M a first class academic university in the state system. IF the Corps is to be maintained within the bigger university, participation in it should require mandatory service in the armed services for all able bodied Corps graduates. The U. S. military values officers who embody leadership attributes that include responsibility and accountability--not pseudo macho bullyism. A mandatory service commitment would lend itself to greater accountability, responsibility, and appreciation for ethical standards on the part of the “Corps” members. If the Corps (including its faculty leaders) fails to set standards that should be even superior to the school as a whole, it will become even more obsolete--a haven for bully bubba’s who, even if they do gain officer status in the armed services, will have no business leading men in our nations’ conflicts.

    Comment by Paul — January 24, 2008 @ 06:03PM

  34. Jonathon:

    Congratulations. You have just posted the number one reason that the rest of the state (and a good portion of your own university) absolutely hates your organization. Not only are you justifying a blatant case of assault (a "fight" requires two aggressors, not a kid on a couch getting pummeled), but you've likened the Texas A&M Corps to the Marine Corps. Tell a typical Marine that you've been through what he or she has been through, and that you're the equivalent of a United States Marine. See how they feel about that.

    The Texas A&M Corps is full of frat boys in military uniforms, who more than likely joined in the first place because it was the only way they could gain acceptance to one of the least diverse, racist, and overly judgmental student bodies in the entire state. The fact that you would even begin to defend this behavior as typical and acceptable shows either a severe lack of respect for your own organization, or complete and total brainwashing. You don't seem to be short on the first; did you drink too much of the Kool-Aid down there in College Station?

    Comment by Eric — January 24, 2008 @ 06:17PM

  35. I'm a freshman in the Corps this year and from my one semester in I haven't experienced or heard of any hazing incidents going on. I know I've only got a semester under my belt but I really do believe that the worst days of the Corps are past. I think if you took the number of morons in the Corps and compared it to the rest of the student body they would be pretty proportionate. The Corps has done a lot for me. I am a much more disciplined, confident, and driven person than I was when I came in. I feel like our image is highly justifiable because of actions like these but I would like everyone who's reading this to know that it is a much more professional organization than it is made out to be.

    Comment by Scott — January 24, 2008 @ 06:44PM

  36. I would like to address Marolyn Smith's and Lynn's comments.

    First of all Lynn, I read at least a 8th grade level. And the definition of ignorance is: lack of knowledge, learning, information. So I ask you Lynn, have you been in a fight that didn't involve wild arm flinging and hair pulling? In all seriousness, what both you and Marolyn Smith think of as a fight is really a boxing match with a referee and rules and regulations. You don't get to call time out in a actual fight. There are no rules, knives get pulled, buddies jump in, shots are fired. That is why you avoid fights by backing down when you don't think you can win the fight and really why you should avoid all fights that you can because you never know when someone is going to get hurt, maimed or killed. And that is why you try to hurt the other person who is trying to hurt you. And Marolyn, I agree with you, let the courts decide exactly what happened.

    Was this a felonious attack on a poor helpless soul? No. Was it a state of Nevada sanctioned title fight? Nope. It was one guy mouthing off to two guys and those two guys beat the crap out of him. Is it fair that two took on one guy? Well he did insult both guys, so then he should be prepared to handle two guys. Maybe all of you should really think about what happened to this poor guy next time you want to act like you are tough (even when you insult people online!). I know I will.

    Comment by Nate the Snake — January 24, 2008 @ 06:55PM

  37. Jonathan,
    You obviously have trouble with not only reading comprehension, but with remembering what you recently typed, so I'll spell it out for you.
    You said:
    "Your article presents my beloved Corps as a hateful and malicious organization. The actions of two cadets do not give your publication the right to present these actions as the actions of the rest of members of the Corps and graduates of the Corps."

    I pulled a few examples of "hateful and malicious" behavior that happen over and over and over. Are you not able to recognize a trend when you see it? Year after year after year, we read about it. It doesn't end. It's an institutional attitude within the corps. Do you think that because an act was "punished" that it makes it OK? Apparently, the "punishment" at Texas A&M is not much of a deterrent, because the behavior continues. (BTW, I'm not sure that you call a "misdemeanor charge" fits the crime when death is involved is what a rational person would call "punishment").

    Leave it to an aggy to resort to name calling and insults when the absurdity of his arguement leaves him with nothing intelligent to say.

    You patently humorous lack of knowledge of the UCMJ indicates that YOU seem to be the one who has tendered no service to our contry's military. If you had, you would know that hazing in any form is a court martialable offense and grounds for discharge for cause.

    Comment by Michael — January 24, 2008 @ 07:33PM

  38. I was a student at Texas A&M University at the time that this incident occurred, and the story that was reported in this article was not accurate. At the time this occurred it was acknowledged that the fight was initiated because derogatory comments and gestures were being made by Zach to Katherine Helle and Eddie was standing up for his sister. He merely got pushed to his limits. Furthermore, when Grant and his buddies came onto campus to confront Helle, they were waiting for him outside of his dorm and had someone get him from his room. Helle was not waiting for them outside of the dorm. How would he have known that they were coming? When Helle came out of the dorm he was confronted by Grant and his friends and a fight ensued. Because Helle did not initiate this incident and was sought out by Grant, he was not at fault for this incident. There are numerous witnesses to this incident and your reporter might want to interview a credible witness. The readers of the article were very disgusted that Helle and Ramirez were not more severely punished for this incident, but the reason that they were not punished as the readers believe they should have been is because event did not occur as stated in your article. The fight was not as one sided as your article leads one to believe. If you were to gather all of the facts in the case you would realize that Eddie Helle was properly brought to justice for the crime that he actually committed. Furthermore, it is widely known that universities have limited jurisdiction for crimes that are committed off campus, thus the university cannot enforce a severe punishment for a crime that is out of their jurisdiction.

    As for making derogatory statements about the Corp, I can say that his behavior is not condoned by the Corp. Hazing is no longer permitted in the Corp and anyone who is found guilt is punished and legal actions are taken against them. The Corp has evolved significantly over the years, and although hazing was once a rite of passage, it no longer is condoned by the University or the members of the Corp. Before one of your columnists rips apart a university and the organization that forms its very backbone, they need to research both sides of the story and take an impartial approach to the article. One individual in an organization of approximately 1800 cadets does not represent the values and standards of the whole group, nor does one person at a university of over forty thousand students accurately represent the entire student body and their ideals. You cannot slam Texas A&M University or The Corp of Cadets for this incident, if you seek someone to blame, blame the individuals involved.

    Members of my family have been attending Texas A&M University for over seventy five years and I will not permit the distasteful actions of one columnist to tarnish the reputation of this University and disrespect the thousands of men and women from the Corp of Cadets and Texas A&M that have given their lives for our country. Go ahead and criticize this posting, but at least now you are aware of the facts.

    Comment by Michelle — January 24, 2008 @ 07:34PM

  39. Nate:

    Two people pummeling one guy is grossly dishonorable. I suspect the meaning of 'honor' escapes your simple mind, but all U.S. military organizational codes of behavior are founded on honorable behavior. If these young men are guilty of violent bullying they should be punished period.

    Comment by justin — January 24, 2008 @ 07:45PM

  40. Justin,

    Did I say it was honorable for two guys to pummel one? Did I say it was a fair fight? I said it was a real life fight. There is no honor when you are in a fight, you either win or lose.

    As far as the military is concerned. Is a sniper blowing hole in people a mile away honorable? Is dropping a nuke honorable? Is carpet bombing honorable? Are civilian casualties honorable? Does the military check to see if their enemy has the same number of soldiers that are similarly equipped? War is hell and the innocent suffer the most. That is the price of war which is why it should be avoided at all costs. (However, once you start the war you annihilate your enemy, you don't police them, again why war should be avoided at all costs). And a real street fight is just a little war between two enemies. You use every advantage you have to win (or get away, which is winning).

    Yeah I like to speak plainly, I can use big words if it will make you feel better about yourself. The honorable thing to do would be to walk away from an insult with your head held high, even my simple mind can fathom the vast depths and lofty peaks of that complex concept. But you know what is also honorable? Keeping your mouth shut when two huge pissed off dudes are threatening you. Now these two guys from the corps should have been the bigger men and walked away, but I am not arguing about their actions, I am trying to make the point that your mouth shouldn't write checks that your ass can't cash.

    Comment by Nate the Snake — January 24, 2008 @ 08:28PM

  41. The corp is a total embarrassment to the entire state. Letting these two stay in the corp just shows they have little to no standards for membership.

    A&M should be ashamed of themselves for how this whole matter was handled.

    Comment by robert — January 24, 2008 @ 08:52PM

  42. Michelle-For your own good, go back and read the article