A civil trial is under way in the case of an Oregon State University fraternity member who shot a homeless man.

On Oct. 14, 2006, Dennis Sanderson, 41, was shot in the leg with a .22-caliber rifle behind the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house at 331 N.W. 26th St.

A fraternity member, Josh Grimes, pleaded guilty in March 2007 to unlawful use of a weapon and third-degree assaults, both felonies. In September 2007, Sanderson filed a civil lawsuit against Grimes and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Sanderson is seeking payment for medical expenses and pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages.

The total monetary amount Sanderson is asking for is about $382,000.

Named defendants in the suit are the national AGR fraternity, the AGR foundation and the local OSU chapter of the fraternity.

Jury selection took place Monday in Benton County Circuit Court and opening statements began Tuesday. Judge David Connell, who sentenced Grimes, is presiding over the civil jury trial. Sanderson is being represented by the Portland law firm Kafoury and McDougal.

Derek Ashton of Portland is representing the fraternal organizations. Josh Grimes is represented by Chris Dunfield of Corvallis, who defended him in the criminal proceedings.

According to the complaint, the purpose of the suit is "to compensate Mr. Sanderson for his injuries" and "to hold a fraternal organization accountable for promoting a culture of violence, irresponsibility with guns and animosity toward the homeless."

Tuesday, McDougal questioned Cameron Krebs, who was AGR president in 2006 when Sanderson was shot.

The questions revolved around how the local chapter handled firearms - some were locked in a gun safe, others were locked in resident's rooms, closets and drawers - and whether or not the house was in compliance with the policy of the national organization.

Krebs, who at times took lengthy pauses before answering, said he believed the house was following policy by allowing members to have guns, provided they were locked up.

Police found more than two dozen firearms in the house after the shooting, including .22-caliber rifles, assault rifles, semi-automatic rifles and 12- and 20-gauge shotguns.

Grimes was sentenced to 150 days in jail and three years' probation for the shooting.

Related

• Former OSU student sentenced in fraternity shooting
• Police look for shooter in Oct. 14 incident
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