GENESEO – On Monday, May 4, Investigator Robert Fuller arrested Phi Sigma Xi (PHIGS) brothers Richard Rovner, 23, of Buffalo, and Michael Green, 20, Brooklyn, for Tampering with Physical Evidence, an E Felony, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, an A misdemeanor, at the PHIG house at 72 Center Street, in the Village of Geneseo, in connection with the death of Alex Davis, who died last May at the PHIG house.
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According to a press release from Geneseo Police Chief Eric Osganian, Richard Rovner and Michael Green, who are both SUNY Geneseo students, allegedly took part in searching an unresponsive Alex Davis and/or removing and concealing contraband or other physical evidence on Alex Davis or at the scene.
It is alleged that the actions of these individuals hindered the Livingston County Coroner and the police from proceeding with the investigation into Alex’s death. Richard Rovner and Michael Green are scheduled to appear in Geneseo Village Court on Tuesday, June 9. The investigation will be forwarded to the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office for Grand Jury action, and other arrests are pending.
The Geneseo Police Department would like to remind everyone that New York State has a medical amnesty law in place (Penal Law Section 220.78). Please dial 911 when someone is in need of medical assistance, no matter what the cause of the medical emergency.
The Geneseo Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the New York State Police (Troop E) Computer Crimes Unit- Trooper Investigator Allison Regan, the New York State Police Investigations Unit, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office.
The arrest was made on the anniversary of Davis’ death, May 4. SUNY Geneseo Media Director David Irwin said that the college has no official planned memorial service for Davis, but students are free to hold one if they like. The PHIGS’ parties and activities are temporarily suspended while the investigation continues.
The family of Alex Davis, 20, released a statement regarding the loss of their son.
“We continue to grieve the loss of our son Alex, and ask again for privacy,” says the family in their statement. “We pray that other college students learn from this tragedy so that their families avoid the overwhelming heartache we are experiencing. Our strength comes from loved ones, friends, family, and our continued faith in the beautiful gift that God loaned us. Despite these new developments, we remain dedicated to honoring Alex’s legacy through the life lessons he’s taught us. In doing so, we have established the APD Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Victor-Farmington Food Cupboard and Santa’s Hide-A-Way Hollow. Alex loved ‘playing the game’. We are committed to keeping the game alive in our hearts and in our community.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Top – (L-R) Rovner and Green being led into the Village Courthouse in handcuffs Monday morning. (Photos/Josh Williams) Inset – Alex Davis, 20.
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