The fraternity, which was supposed to be alcohol-free because of a suspension eight years prior, lined the pledges up in the basement and forced them to down approximately 3 shots of vodka from a “handle,” before running the “gauntlet” which featured chugging a beer, guzzling wine from a bag, and playing beer pong.
Piazza, 19, who was on an empty stomach, was among the pledges to consume the large quantity of alcohol during the night.
After the gauntlet, Piazza was placed on a couch and left unsupervised, and with his blood alcohol content between .28 and .36, he stumbled around the house before falling down the basement stairs at around 11 p.m.
Timothy Piazza died days after he fell at a Penn State fraternity where he participated in a pledging event consisting of downing a large quantity of alcohol in a short time in Feb. 2017. AP
Brendan Young Jr., the former Beta Theta Pi president walks out of Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa. on June 12, 2017. AP Former Beta Theta Pi Vice President Daniel Casey (right) leaves Centre County courthouse on July 11, 2017. AP
The 14 counts of hazing equated to one for each pledge with the reckless endangerment charge connected to Piazza.
“There should be no discussion of this case without recognizing the tragic loss of life and resulting devastation for Mr. Piazza’s family and friends,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said.
“Mr. Piazza was simply seeking to join a social organization for the benefits of community and shared experiences, as so many university students do. Most of those students go on to successful lives and careers — basic expectations following college which Mr. Piazza never had the opportunity to experience.”
The criminal prosecution of these cases has taken a significant amount of time due, in large part, to appeals of pre-trial court rulings, the attorney general added.
Piazza’s family played an “instrumental” role in the state legislature passing the “Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law” which includes a felony-graded offense when serious injury or death results. AP
Following his death, Piazza’s family was “instrumental” in the state legislature passing the “Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law” which includes a felony-graded offense when serious injury or death results.
The two former frat leaders are scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1.
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