`OPRAH' HAZING SHOW AIRS APRIL 9

An broadcast of "Oprah" that focuses on the hazing death of Southeast Missouri State University student Michael Davis will air April 9.

Oprah Winfrey's syndicated show will air locally on KFVS-TV 12 at 4 p.m.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle was in Chicago Tuesday for the taping of the show called "Dangerous Initiation Rituals."

"It was fascinating," said Swingle, who prosecuted the men who killed Davis in 1994. "In my opinion, nobody could watch the show without realizing how stupid and dangerous hazing is and that it has to end."

Davis, 25, of St. Louis went through a weeklong hazing ritual after he pledged to Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Davis' death brought national media attention to the dangers of hazing. Seven men were sentenced for involuntary manslaughter.

"The main case (on the episode) was the Michael Davis case," Swingle said. "It started the show off and was the most-discussed incident."

One of the men who pleaded guilty, Carlos Turner, was a guest on the show. Turner was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 500 hours of community service.

Michael Davis' mother and sister also appeared. Swingle said that Turner sat on-stage near Edith Davis, Davis' mother. Winfrey sat between them.

"Carlos was the first one who told the police the truth about what he had done," Swingle said before he left for Chicago. "He consistently told the truth from then on. I really got a sense that he had remorse for what happened."

Other victims of hazing also were on the show, including a Marine who had pins shoved into his chest as part of a military ritual called getting "blood wings," said Swingle. A high-school student who was beaten and left in the woods as part of a hazing ritual also was present.

Swingle said he felt it was important to contribute to the show because it might open someone's eyes to the dangers of hazing.

"It's a sad thing -- a tragedy that it happened," Swingle said. "The bottom line in deciding to do it was to try and stop hazing. Nine million people watch that show, and if that means 9 million parents talk to their children about what a stupid and reckless thing hazing is, it will be worth it."

Swingle was accompanied by his 10-year-old daughter Olivia, a big fan of Oprah Winfrey. Olivia got to meet Winfrey and give her a hug.