TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP -- It's been two months since a young man from New York died after taking part in a fraternity ritual in the Poconos. Now, the Luzerne County coroner has ruled the death a homicide.
Chun Deng, 18, died in early December after taking part in a fraternity ritual in the Poconos.
The Monroe County district attorney says no one has been charged yet but he expects that to change.
Police say the fraternity ritual took place in a home near Long Pond.
They believe a group of nearly 30 Pi Delta Psi fraternity members from Baruch College in Manhattan rented the home to initiate four pledges or candidates into the fraternity.
The ritual happened in the back yard of the home.
Police say Chun Deng was blindfolded and forced to carry 20 pounds of sand in a back pack. The fraternity members pushed him and he fell, hitting his head. He went unconscious. About two hours later, he was taken to a hospital in Luzerne County where he died.
Now that the Luzerne County coroner has ruled the death a homicide, the district attorney in Monroe County says expects criminal charges to be filed at some point against one or more people.