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Timothy "Tim" J. Piazza, 19 of Lebanon, NJ, died at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA, after being hazed at Beta Theta Pi fraternity on Saturday, February 4, 2017, according to his obituary and the AG's release.
Brendan Young, 28, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, and Daniel Casey, 27, of Ronkonkoma, New York, pleaded guilty to multiple misdemeanors including 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment on Tuesday, July 30, according to the AG.
"Young and Casey were each sentenced to two to four months in prison (with work release eligibility), followed by three years probation, plus community service," AG Henry stated.
Tim was a sophomore when he pushed to consume "large quantities of alcohol during an initiation event referred to as an 'obstacle course,' where the pledges consumed significant amounts of alcohol," he AG explained. Piazza was found unresponsive the next morning and died days later "as a result of multiple falls incurred subsequent to his intoxication," as stated in the release.
"Young served as president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Casey was vice president and pledge master at the time of the February 2017 offenses," as stated in the release.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf passed the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing law as a result of this fatal incident, which increased penalties for hazing, including a felony-graded offense when serious injury or death results, the AG detailed in the release.
“Our thoughts are with the Piazza family and everyone affected by this tragedy,” Attorney General Henry said. “Nothing can undo the harm Tim suffered seven years ago — nothing can bring Tim back to his family and friends. With the sentences ordered today, the criminal process reached a conclusion.”
The cases were prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo and Deputy Attorney General Julia van Leeuwen.
A memorial has been started in Tim's memory, click here to learn more.
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