11 fraternity members will go to trial in connection to Piazza hazing death

CNN/Stylemagazine.com Newswire | 5/7/2018, 3:32 p.m.
Eleven Penn State fraternity members will head to trial over the death of Timothy Piazza, according to a Monday ruling …
Jim and Evelyn Piazza, parents of Timothy Piazza who died after hazing at Penn State, speak out

By Kwegyirba Croffie, CNN

(CNN) -- Eleven Penn State fraternity members will head to trial over the death of Timothy Piazza, according to a Monday ruling from Centre County, Pennsylvania, Judge Steven Lachman. The ruling comes after 12 defendants had preliminary hearings over three days that concluded last Friday.

"The Office of Attorney General is committed to seeking justice for Timothy Piazza and his family and holding responsible individuals accountable for their actions, consistent with the law and the evidence in this case," said Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore, died February 4, 2017, after drinking large quantities of alcohol during his first night of pledging at Beta Theta Pi fraternity. The fraternity was supposed to be alcohol-free.

All previous charges of reckless endangerment were dismissed, but several charges of hazing and "unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt, and brewed beverages and licenses," were upheld. All the charges against one of the 12 defendants were dismissed, according to court documents.

In a statement on behalf of Timothy's parents, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, attorney Thomas Kline said: "While pleased to see the charges of hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors move forward against some defendants, Jim and Evelyn Piazza are dismayed by the dismissal today 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. 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."

Sharpiro added, "We are in the process of reviewing the judge's decision to determine next steps, and are pleased that 11 more defendants we charged will be headed to trial."