BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — Criminal charges have been filed against a Penn State fraternity, and 18-of its members, after a student’s death earlier this year. Prosecutors said Friday, the student, who was in the process of joining the fraternity, had toxic levels of alcohol in his body and was injured in a series of falls.
Centre County Dist. Atty. Stacy Parks Miller said a grand jury investigation, greatly aided by security camera video from the Beta Theta Pi chapter house, found that his friends failed to get help for 19-year-old Timothy Piazza before his death in February. The grand jury said their actions in some cases may have worsened his injuries.
Eight of the fraternity brothers and the chapter itself were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Other charges include aggravated and simple assault, evidence tampering, alcohol-related violations and hazing.
Penn State University’s president Eric Barron is calling the grand jury report heart-wrenching, sickening and incomprehensible. Penn State permanently banned Beta Theta Pi on March 30, accusing it of a “persistent pattern” of excessive drinking, drug use and hazing.
