Student expelled over fight
By: Vincenza Previte
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Robert Macklin, a junior management major, has been dismissed permanently from Webster University for allegedly striking his roommate several times with a skillet.
Macklin cannot come to the campus or enter any WU facility and will not be able to register for any upcoming semesters. However, he has the right to appeal the decision to dismiss him until Nov. 13.
Ted Hoef, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, said Macklin could access university property if a special permission were granted.
"If he needed to return his books to the bookstore, we would make arrangements for him to be escorted by Public Safety," Hoef said.
Macklin's roommate, David Kavanaugh, a senior information management major, said Macklin had been drinking earlier the day of the fight. However, he cannot confirm whether Macklin was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the moment of the incident.
Kavanaugh is still recovering from the injuries he received during the fight. He didn't receive any fractures, yet suffered a concussion and injuries in his upper trapezius muscle. After the incident, Kavanaugh was given a two-week permission to recover.
Macklin and Kavanaugh had been roommates since January. Kavanaugh said he had a good relationship with his roommate before the incident and never fought with him.
Macklin could not be reached for comment before The Journal went to press.
"Honestly, I don't know what triggered his violent behavior that night," Kavanaugh said. "We weren't best friends, but as roommates, we had a good relationship."
Kavanaugh doesn't remember with certainty what happened the night of the incident, but he recalled going outside his apartment to smoke a cigarette. Thereafter, a disgruntled Macklin called him and told him to step inside for a moment. He started complaining about dirty dishes, yet there was no argument. Kavanaugh agreed to wash the dishes whenever he had time.
Minutes later, Macklin told Kavanaugh not to use his microwave. Once again, Kavanaugh agreed, yet answered back telling his roommate not to smoke his cigarettes. As Kavanaugh got out of the door to smoke another cigarette, Macklin hit him with a skillet on the head. Kavanaugh was left unconscious for a few minutes.
"I was on the floor facing down, got up and left," Kavanaugh said. "I just wanted to get out of the apartment and look for help."
Maria Ramirez, a junior media communications major and the Resident Assistant on call that night, said she heard noise coming from upstairs. When she came out of her apartment, she saw Kavanaugh bleeding. He told Ramirez to call Public Safety as he walked towards Emerson Library.
"When these types of incidences happen, students must call Public Safety because they are the ones in charge of calling the ambulance," Ramirez said.
Kavanaugh called Public Safety officers around 1:20 a.m. on Oct. 17 from the emergency call box in front of Emerson library.
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