The case against Phi Gamma Delta, the MIT fraternity where first-year Scott Krueger died as a result of alcohol poisoning, effectively concluded last week with the frat's disbanding. With no individual fraternity member named in the indictment, the closing of the fraternity chapter effectively absolved its (ex-)members of any criminal responsibility for Krueger's death.

The outcome of this case is disappointing, to say the least. We accept that the culture of binge drinking is widespread, and that Phi Gamma Delta members were perhaps acting only as irresponsibly as many other college organizations. However, the failure to hold individual members responsible not only denied the Krueger family their day in court, but also sent the wrong message to the myriad fraternities and final clubs which populate America's campuses. "Drink, haze, disband, and move on" is a message that makes a mockery of the judicial process.

The manner in which this investigation has been handled by the Suffolk District Attorney's office particularly deserves criticism. By not including individual fraternity members in the charges filed, the district attorney effectively provided a loophole to the fraternity's officers, who disbanded the chapter.

Instead of trumpeting the unprecedented, but fundamentally flawed, charges brought against the fraternity, the District Attorney's office should have focused on the people who are most directly responsible for Krueger's death--the former officers of the now-defunct Phi Gamma Delta chapter. These officers should be held accountable for creating an environment in which Krueger was not only hazed but was subsequently carried by fraternity members to the fraternity's basement and left alone in a medically precarious condition while the fraternity partied on.

Sadly, through its mishandling of this case, the District Attorney might have succeeded in sending the message to fraternity members everywhere that they need not assume responsibility for the collective. This is a message which undermines the increased emphasis on responsible drinking which resulted from Krueger's tragic death.

Last year, Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 stated that graduate presidents of final clubs will likely be held responsible for illegal activities on club property. While this suggestion is wise in that it is graduates who have the fiscal power to bear the brunt of serious damages that might be brought against a club, we would hope that that responsibility might be broadened to include current club officers, as well as the leaders of other student organizations or even students hosting parties in their suites.

The need for such a clear delineation of responsibility for final clubs and for other organizations is all the more urgent now as the shock of Krueger's death is replaced by indifference. Such delineation, we hope, will go some way towards restraining the sort of alcohol abuse on Harvard's campus that resulted in Krueger's tragic and avoidable death.