A prominent lawyer and alumnus of the University of Oklahoma will represent his alma mater after the fraternity recently shuttered by the school for singing a racist chant retained their own legal council, the attorney announced Monday.
Oklahoma City attorney Michael Burrage said in a statement that he was "fully briefed on the university's investigation" into a video that surfaced showing fraternity members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon singing a song that included a racist epithet and references to lynching.
Burrage said he would "advise the University on a range of legal matters" and said any fraternity member who faced discipline would be afforded due process according to the student code. University of Oklahoma president, David Boren, "has made clear that this will be a fair and thorough investigative process." Burrage said.
Two members of the fraternity, who school officials said played leadership roles in the chant, have already been expelled.
The University of Oklahoma Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat members retained attorney Stephen Jones last week. The lawyer, who defended convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, said after he was hired that he would work to protect the rights of the brothers after the school shut down the chapter and told them to leave their fraternity house.
Jones said he wasn't eager to pursue legal action, but wouldn't rule out a lawsuit.
IN-DEPTH
- SAE Members Got Death Threats Over Racist Song, Lawyer Says
- SAE Case Will Be Lawyer Stephen Jones' Rematch Against OU President David Boren
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Oklahoma University Hires Attorney
— Elisha Fieldstadt