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Former PSU students plead guilty to hazing

Two former Penn State students have pleaded guilty to hazing and reckless endangerment charges stemming from a 2017 incident at the fraternity where they held leadership roles.

State Attorney General Michelle Henry said Brendan Young, 28, of Philadelphia and Daniel Casey, 27, of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., pleaded guilty in Centre County Court to 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment — all misdemeanors. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 1.

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, according to Henry.

Sophomore student Timothy Piazza, who was among the 14 pledges summoned to the house that night to participate in a bid acceptance event, was found unresponsive the next morning after consuming large quantities of alcohol during an initiation event referred to as an “obstacle course,” where the pledges consumed significant amounts of alcohol. Piazza died days later as a result of multiple falls following his intoxication.

Young and Casey participated in and facilitated the hazing event.

“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,” 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 14 counts of hazing represent one count for each member of the Spring 2017 pledge class subjected to the obstacle course. The reckless endangerment charge pertains to Piazza.

The Piazza family was instrumental in the Pennsylvania Legislature passing the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, which includes a felony-graded offense when serious injury or death results.

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