In a significant development, the former president and vice president of a Penn State fraternity where pledge Timothy Piazza tragically lost his life after consuming a large amount of alcohol seven years ago have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors. Brendan Young, who served as president of the now-defunct Beta Theta Pi chapter in 2017, and Daniel Casey, the former vice president and pledge master, entered guilty pleas for hazing and reckless endangerment during a virtual court proceeding in Centre County.
The guilty pleas were made in relation to the 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment involving Piazza. The sentencing for both individuals is scheduled for October. The Pennsylvania Attorney General, Michelle Henry, acknowledged the devastating impact of Piazza's death on his family and friends.
Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old engineering student, tragically passed away after consuming a significant amount of alcohol during a fraternity event where he and 13 other pledges were seeking membership. Security footage captured Piazza's distressing final hours, including a fall down the basement stairs and subsequent signs of severe pain as he lay on a couch.
Despite efforts to seek help the following morning, Piazza succumbed to severe head and abdominal injuries at a hospital. His father, Jim Piazza, expressed relief following the plea hearing, stating that while nothing can bring his son back, the admissions by the defendants provide some closure.
Following the incident, numerous fraternity members faced charges, with most cases now resolved. The prosecution of Young and Casey was delayed due to appeals, with several members pleading guilty to hazing and alcohol-related offenses. Notably, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed legislation classifying severe hazing as a felony, mandating schools to implement anti-hazing policies and enabling the seizure of fraternity houses linked to hazing incidents.
Penn State took decisive action by banning the fraternity in question, underscoring the institution's commitment to preventing such tragedies in the future. While the legal proceedings are nearing conclusion, the impact of Timothy Piazza's untimely death continues to resonate, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of hazing and reckless behavior.
