11 more Penn State fraternity memEers to stand trial

USA – Eleven more members of a Penn State fraternity are headed to trial in connection with the death of Tim Piazza after a judge ruled Monday prosecutors presented enough evidence to support hazing and alcohol-related criminal charges. Judge Steven Lachman also threw out allegations that a member of now-shuttered Beta Theta Pi had erased basement security video to thwart investigators, and dismissed all reckless endangerment counts the defendants had faced. All 11 fraternity brothers face at least one count of hazing and at least one alcohol-related charge for the events that occurred the night in February 2017, when Piazza suffered a series of falls and was badly injured inside the fraternity house. The news brought a mixed reaction from the lawyer for Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the student’s parents. “While pleased to see the charges of hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors move forward against some defendants, Jim and Evelyn Piazza were dismayed by the dismissal yesterday of the tampering charges against one defendant, as well as dismissal of reckless endangerment charges against another who was involved in the same ritualized hazing as others who were held for trial in the prior preliminary hearing,’ said attorney Tom Kline. “The Piazzas are hopeful that the Attorney General will file an appeal so that all individuals will be held fully responsible for their misconduct and so that dangerous and potentially lethal hazing will be deterred in the future.” Democratic Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro says his office is reviewing the decision. Shapiro says he’s pleased 11 more defendants are headed to county court for trial, making it 25 defendants in all facing charges in connection with Piazza’s death. Piazza, 19, of Readington, died of severe head and abdominal injuries after a night of drinking that followed a pledge bid acceptance ceremony. The Hunterdon Central High School graduate fell down a set of basement steps, and the amount of alcohol in his system has been estimated at three or four times the state’s legal limit for driving. After a separate preliminary hearing, another judge previously sent charges against 14 other members of the fraternity to county court for trial.

(My Central Jersey)