Hundreds of students marched in protest across the San Jose State campus Thursday. Shortly thereafter, the university responded.
"We have suspended three students, effective today," said William Rance, SJSU Vice President of Student Affairs.
Those students are 18-year old, Logan Beaschler of Bakersfield, 18-year old Colin Warren of Marin County and 19-year old Joseph Bomgardner of Clovis. Prosecutors say their hateful behavior spanned from August to October. It began with the suspects taunting their 17-year old black roommate with the nickname "Three-Fifths".
"Meaning, the long ago practice of valuing a black man at three-fifths of the value of a white man," said Deputy District Attorney Erin West.
The suspects reportedly decorated their dorm suite with Nazi symbols, racial epithets and a Confederate flag. Then their actions escalated into violence.
"It went all the way to a full scale battery by putting a bike lock around the victim's neck," said West.
Eyewitness News visited Fresno State Thursday night. Students we spoke with say they have never witnessed such hazing and find it to be unbelievable.
"It's really devastating that type of stuff is still going on," said Deja Thompson, a Fresno State senior.
"That shouldn't be happening in our world today. It always shocks me all the evil that's in this world," said Bethany Warnes, a Fresno State freshman.
"I don't think people are mature or responsible enough to say ok you're different, who cares, I see you for who you are and not for anything else," said Robert Gormaz, a Fresno State sophomore.
If convicted of these misdemeanor charges, each student faces a maximum of one year in county jail.