A 19-year-old man has admitted to charges that he and his father played host to an underage booze party attended by a standout high school athlete who died in wintry weather after fleeing the gathering when authorities showed up.
Erik P. Hastad, of Hantho Township, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lac qui Parle County District Court to a misdemeanor social host ordinance and gross misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Hastad's father, Gary, was in court Wednesday for a hearing and has yet to enter a plea, according to his attorney, Ronald R. Frauenshuh Jr.
If the older Hastad takes his case to trial, he may hear his son testifying against him, Frauenshuh said Wednesday.
"He could be compelled to testify," on behalf of the prosecution, the defense attorney said.
The charges are a test of the county's social host ordinance, passed in 2011 in an attempt to reduce underage drinking by holding parents and other party hosts criminally liable. Since Chaska enacted Minnesota's first social host ordinance in 2007, such rules have become commonplace in cities and counties across the state.
Also charged were several underage partyers who ran as law enforcement officers arrived shortly before 12:30 a.m. on March 9 at the farm where the party was held. They were accused of fleeing law enforcement and underage drinking.
"The judge is going to set sentencing for all parties on the same day, which has not been set yet," County Attorney Rick Stulz said Wednesday. " All but two of the minor consumption [defendants] have pled [guilty], and I am guessing the other two will as well, once their attorneys appear with them."