SWINGLE TO DISCUSS HAZING ON `OPRAH'

Morley Swingle's decision to appear on "Oprah" was not easy.

When producers of Oprah Winfrey's syndicated television show called about a week ago, he wasn't sure he could spare the time. He was in the middle of preparing for a capital murder trial in Colombia, and it takes months to prepare for a trial of its magnitude.

But when Swingle heard that the focus of the show was to inform people about the dangers of hazing, he felt he had an obligation to do it.

Swingle prosecuted the men who killed a Southeast Missouri State University student in 1994. Michael Davis, 25, of St. Louis was killed after enduring a weeklong hazing ritual after he pledged to Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

"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."

Davis' death brought national media attention to the dangers of hazing. Seven men were sentenced for involuntary manslaughter.

Other people who have been affected by hazing will appear on the episode, Swingle said. Carlos Turner, one of the men who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, is also scheduled to appear.

Turner was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 500 hours of community service.

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

On Monday, Swingle will fly to Chicago where the show will be taped Tuesday morning. He said he is not sure when the show will be televised but he hopes to know by the time he gets back.

Swingle will also be accompanied by his 10-year-old daughter Olivia. Olivia had just finished reading a biography of Oprah Winfrey and wanted a chance to meet her, Swingle said.

While he knows the purpose of his appearance will be to enlighten people, Swingle said he can't help but be excited about it ... even if it means working overtime to prepare for the upcoming trial.