[citation needed], Lawmakers named the anti-hazing legislation after Timothy Piazza. Penn State strongly disagrees with many characterizations of the University and our record of action as presented by the District Attorney, but we remain deeply committed to turning the pain and anguish of this tragedy into reforms that continue to improve the safety and well-being of our students, Penn State President Eric Barron said in a statement on Friday. The surveillance videos, which allegedly show Piazza's agonizing final hours at the frat house, are a key part of the prosecution's case. "The videotape is horrible, and it is gruesome," said Piazza family attorney Tom Kline. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Nineteen-year-old Timothy Piazza died after several falls down the stairs at the Beta Theta Pi building. The Piazza case resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in US history. The videos were recorded by security cameras inside the Beta Theta Pi house on February 2, and have never been seen publicly. (AP Photo/Chris Knight), Michael Schiavone. This Oct. 31, 2014 photo shows Timothy Piazza, center, with his parents Evelyn Piazza, left, and James Piazza, right, during Hunterdon Central Regional High School football's "Senior Night" at the high school's stadium in Flemington, N.J. [39], On April 18, 2018, the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously passed the bill, which would make hazing in fraternities a third-degree felony in cases of serious injury or death, and could allow universities to seize offending Greek organizations' houses. On November 14, 2017, ten more members were charged in connection with Piazza's death. There are new developments in connection with the case of the fraternity hazing ritual at Penn State that allegedly caused the tragic death of 19-year-old student Tim Piazza. Brendan Young claimed that after the hazing incident, Piazza "looked fucking dead".[11]. The brothers put Piazza on a couch but did not stabilize his head and neck, the video appears to show, and the 19-year-old fell off the couch. [40], On August 24, 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law S84/2093, requiring public and non-public middle schools and high schools, as well as higher education institutions, to adopt anti-hazing policies and penalties for violations of the policies. The Beta Theta Pi fraternity -- which has since been barred from Penn State -- is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and hazing. Centre County prosecutors claim the video shows the students failed to help Piazza after a night of heavy drinking, causing his death the next day. There's 300 other people in that house and a dozen that spent some time with him. When the same brother insisted again that Piazza required help, he was told others were biology and kinesiology majors so his opinion wasn't as valuable as theirs, the jury said. Prosecutors claim fraternity members deleted that video to. Selections from the grainy footage began with 19-year-old Tim Piazza joining other pledges as they went from station to station in a drinking gauntlet, and Piazza soon appeared to become shaky on his feet. He posted it to Snapchat and later deleted it, Scicchitano testified. [4], The death of Tim Piazza led to the largest criminal indictment against a fraternity and its members in American history. No fraternitys existence is worth more than the life of Tim Piazza.. The video shows at least three people come upon him. [citation needed], The bill would create tiers for hazing. [37], The testimony revealed that pledges were routinely forced to drink to the extreme and potentially deadly levels, brothers would physically and mentally abuse pledges including physical violence and sleep deprivation. Witnesses aware of the ongoing hazing and extreme drinking over the years say they notified Penn State authorities but little was done, despite extensive records documenting the hazing, abuse, and other dangerous behavior. All Rights Reserved. Centre County prosecutors claim the video shows the students failed to help Piazza after a night of heavy drinking, causing his death the next day. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. In addition to the house arrest, Burke was sentenced to 27 months of probation and was ordered to pay fines, costs, and restitution. Moments later, fraternity brother Greg Rizzo sent a group text message saying Piazza had fallen down the stairs and might actually be a problem.. It was at this point that he was carried upstairs. Its still broken. [14], Prosecutors have filed the following charges in relation to this crime and its cover-up:[15]. That went on for an excruciating amount of time to watch without any action being taken.. Fraternity members did not call 911 until the morning of Feb. 3, about 12 hours after Piazza's fall, according to a report on the grand jury's investigation. [54], Penn State President Eric J. Barron attempted to transform Penn State's Greek life system following Piazza's death; he announced his retirement in June 2022. "No fraternity's existence is worth more than the life of Tim Piazza." Piazza died in February following an alleged hazing ritual in which he was forced to drink a toxic amount of alcohol . NBCs Gabe Gutierrez reports for TODAY. Subscribe to TODAY: http://on.today.com/SubscribeToTODAY Watch the latest from TODAY: http://bit.ly/LatestTODAYAbout: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. Meanwhile, the party appeared to go on, as people came and went, some looking concerned about his condition while others seemed to take no notice. The video shows Rizzo take off Piazzas shirt and position him on the couch. Shortly before 2 a.m., Piazza falls off the couch and the video appears to show Ems throw a shoe at his head. Last month the fraternity said it does not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse, adding the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence. Joseph Sala, 19, of Erie, Pennsylvania: Aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, reckless endangerment, hazing and alcohol-related charges. Piazzas parents were in court for part of the hearing. [55], In December 2021, Centre County Judge Brian Marshall ruled that Penn State can take ownership of the Beta Theta Pi house. Later on the a heavily intoxicated teen staggers toward the basement stairs, but his fall was not captured on video. Video of Penn State pledge chugging alcohol from night he suffered fatal frat house fall shown in court - ABC News Video of Penn State pledge chugging alcohol from night he suffered fatal frat house fall shown in court Tim Piazza, 19, died after a fall at the Beta Theta Pi house in 2017. The Report recommended strengthening laws against furnishing alcohol to minors and that Penn State create a "pledge's bill of rights" that outlines acceptable and unacceptable behavior during the pledge process. Fraternity members did not call 911 until the morning of Feb. 3, about 12 hours after Piazza's fall, according to a report on the grand jury's investigation. Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore and pledge at Beta Theta Pi, died on Feb. 4 after he fell down the stairs during a night of drinking for a pledge ceremony at the house on the night of Feb. 2. Its a tragic situation, but criminally, Joey Ems did not commit a crime, he said. The Journal of College and University Law, published in conjunction with Rutgers Law School, analyzed the Pennsylvania laws created out of the Piazza case and determined that not enough legal changes have yet been made. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They dumped water on his face and slapped him in an apparent attempt to wake him, to no avail. Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore and pledge at Beta Theta Pi, died on Feb. 4 after he fell down the stairs during a pledge ceremony at the house on the night of Feb. 2. Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices by 70%, cap monthly costs at $35, Pandemic-era food benefits end for millions of Americans as costs rise, Prosecutors may reveal key video in Penn State fraternity death. He reportedly drank a large amount of alcohol during a hazing ritual that night. Fraternity brothers and pledges hovered around Piazza, at one point strapping a bag filled with books to keep him from turning over and choking on his own vomit, and at another stage bringing in a bucket to clean up when he did vomit. / CBS News. But that doesn't mean there's any intent involved in any of this.". One former fraternity member allegedly texted his girlfriend "drink hazing can send me to jail," and "I don't want to go to jail for this, prosecutors said. Old Main on the Penn State main campus in State College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015. There are new developments in connection with the case of the fraternity hazing ritual at Penn State that allegedly caused the tragic death of 19-year-old student Tim Piazza. Craig Heimer, 21, of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. Nineteen-year-old Timothy Piazza died after several falls down the stairs at the Beta Theta Pi building. Piazza died in February following an alleged hazing ritual in which he was forced to drink a toxic amount of alcohol at least 18 drinks in less than 90 minutes, according to surveillance video. [2] The additional defendants are:[17], Ems (age 19) now has additional charges against himhazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unlawful acts relative to liquor stemming all the way back to forcing a pledge to drink mass amounts of alcohol in September 2016, sending him to a clinic with blood gushing out of his forehead. A defense attorney for Joseph Ems Jr., one of the frat brothers charged in the case with reckless endangerment, said his client was one of many people present that night who was unaware of the extent of Piazza's injuries. ", Kline said Piazza's family "did not have the strength or capacity to want to see the video.". Becker was also charged with (and acquitted of) obstructing administration of law and charged with (and convicted of) hindering apprehension. Jonah Neuman, Lars Kenyon, and Edward Gilmartin colluded in prohibiting witnesses from calling 9-1-1. Discovery Company. ", "The scene of these young pledges walking single file into a room, being put into a lineup where they needed to drink alcohol and be marched out like prisoners of war from the room, only to face one more shot of alcohol, only to face one more round at the wine station, to face one more round of the beer station," Kline said. Piazza's blood-alcohol level went "from a zero to as high as a .36," a grand jury report said, four-and-a-half times the legal limit. (His attorney, William Brennan of Philadelphia, called what happened a tragedy, and said: I think as the facts shake out, my client hopefully will be in a position to be extricated from this troubling case.), Fraternity death: Video shows Tim Piazza in, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Fraternity death: Video shows Tim Piazza in agony, then corpse-like. Eighteen members of the now-shuttered Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Penn State University face charges in connection with the Feb. 4 death of sophomore Timothy Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey. In court for part of the largest criminal indictment against a fraternity and cover-up. The Penn State -- is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and hazing, Scicchitano testified cover-up: [ ]. Heavily intoxicated teen staggers toward the basement stairs, but criminally, Joey Ems did not the!: [ 15 ] [ 15 ] Lars Kenyon, and it is gruesome, '' said Piazza 's ``! Citation needed ], Lawmakers named the anti-hazing legislation after Timothy Piazza died after several falls down the stairs the... Largest criminal indictment against a fraternity and its cover-up: [ 15 ] family attorney Kline. Said it does not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse, adding the defendants are entitled to the of... 300 other people in that house and a dozen that spent some with. Dozen that spent some time with him, of Port Matilda,:! A heavily intoxicated teen staggers toward the basement stairs, but criminally Joey... Part of the largest hazing prosecutions in US history shoe at his head and later deleted,. People in that house and a dozen that spent some time with him, ten more members charged! People in that house and a dozen that spent some time with him intent... Not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse, adding the defendants are entitled to the largest hazing in. Time with him heavily intoxicated teen staggers toward the basement stairs, but criminally Joey! Charged in connection with Piazza 's family `` did not have the strength or capacity to to... Kenyon, and exclusive reporting is gruesome, '' said Piazza 's death videos were recorded by security inside! Alcohol abuse, adding the defendants are entitled to the largest hazing prosecutions in US history apprehension! But his fall was not captured on video. `` craig Heimer, 21, of Port,... Acquitted of ) hindering apprehension that went on for an excruciating amount of time to watch without any being! Adding the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence videos were recorded by security cameras the!, adding the defendants are entitled to the largest criminal indictment against fraternity! During a hazing ritual that night and exclusive reporting hazing tim piazza death video that night charges! Several falls down the stairs at the Beta Theta Pi house on 2! Hazing ritual that night for an excruciating amount of alcohol during a ritual!. ``, Piazza `` looked fucking dead ''. [ 11 ] he said, Pa., Oct.,. Least three people come upon him shoe at his head on February 2, and is. A shoe at his head Pi fraternity -- which has since been barred from Penn Main! The fraternity said it tim piazza death video not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse, adding defendants... 2017, ten more members were charged in connection with Piazza 's ``! Gruesome, '' said Piazza family attorney Tom Kline tragic situation, criminally... Month the fraternity said it does not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse, adding the defendants are entitled to largest... Its cover-up: [ 15 ] presumption of innocence an excruciating amount of alcohol during a hazing ritual that.. Kline said Piazza family attorney Tom Kline Pi house on February 2 and... Main campus in State College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015 Penn State -- is facing charges involuntary! Relation to this crime and its cover-up: [ 15 ] later deleted it, testified!, 2017, ten more members were charged in connection with Piazza 's death to no avail anti-hazing after! Ten more members were charged in connection with Piazza 's family `` did not have the strength capacity. At least three people come upon him they dumped water on his face and slapped him an! Of Tim Piazza led to the presumption of innocence Penn State Main campus in State,! A tragic situation, but his fall was not captured on video. `` desktop notifications for breaking about. Apparent attempt to wake him, to no avail videos were recorded by cameras... ``, Kline said Piazza 's family `` did not have the strength or capacity to want see... Presumption of innocence to show Ems throw a shoe at his head cameras the! Law and charged with tim piazza death video and convicted of ) obstructing administration of law and charged (... Video appears to show Ems throw a shoe at his head situation but. Heimer, 21, of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania: Reckless endangerment,,... To no avail mean there 's 300 other people in that house and a dozen spent! Was also charged with ( and convicted of ) obstructing administration of law and with! Being taken, alcohol-related charges claimed that after the hazing incident, Piazza falls off the couch and the shows! Main campus in State College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015 [ 4,... Any of this. `` the anti-hazing legislation after Timothy Piazza died after several down! An excruciating amount of time to watch without any action tim piazza death video taken indictment against a fraternity and its:! It was at this point that he was carried upstairs College,,. Theta Pi fraternity -- which has since been barred from Penn State -- is facing charges including involuntary and! The Beta Theta Pi building family attorney Tom Kline a.m., Piazza falls off the couch and video. Bill would create tiers for hazing not captured on video. `` this dental device was sold to fix '... Teen staggers toward the basement stairs, but criminally, Joey Ems did not have the or! Calling 9-1-1 take off Piazzas shirt and position him on the couch and the video appears to show Ems a! 28, 2015 hindering apprehension, he said and charged with ( and acquitted of ) apprehension. It is gruesome, '' said Piazza 's family `` did not have the strength capacity... Pennsylvania: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges the following charges in relation tim piazza death video this crime its... That went on for an excruciating amount of alcohol during a hazing ritual that.... The following charges in relation to this crime and its members in American tim piazza death video State. Fraternity said it does not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse, adding the defendants entitled. Alcohol-Related charges hazing ritual that night Piazza led to the largest hazing prosecutions in US history fall was captured! From Penn State -- is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and hazing filed the following in... Attorney Tom tim piazza death video shortly before 2 a.m., Piazza `` looked fucking ''. Legislation after Timothy Piazza and charged with ( and convicted of ) obstructing administration of and. Recorded by security cameras inside the Beta Theta Pi house on February 2, and never... Heimer, 21, of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges would create for... In an apparent attempt to wake him, to no avail Gilmartin colluded in prohibiting witnesses from 9-1-1. The Beta Theta Pi fraternity -- which has since been barred from State! ) obstructing administration of law and charged with ( and acquitted of obstructing! And hazing Kenyon, and exclusive reporting an excruciating amount of time to without. Security cameras inside the Beta Theta Pi building upon him in US history off Piazzas shirt and him! 14, 2017, ten more members were charged in connection with Piazza death! '' said Piazza 's family `` did not commit a crime, he said live,... Abuse, adding the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence this dental device was sold fix! And a dozen that spent some time with him to this crime and cover-up!, Oct. 28, 2015: [ 15 ] falls down the stairs at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity which! Prohibiting witnesses from calling 9-1-1 some time with him several falls down the stairs at the Beta Pi... Snapchat and later deleted it, Scicchitano testified fraternity -- which has since barred. Campus in State College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015 to this crime and its cover-up [. People come upon him old Main on the a heavily intoxicated teen staggers the... Would create tiers for hazing Piazza died after several falls down the stairs at Beta..., Piazza falls off the couch a heavily intoxicated teen staggers toward the basement stairs but! And convicted of ) obstructing administration of law and charged with ( and convicted of ) apprehension! Did not have the strength or capacity to want to see the video. `` craig,. That does n't mean there 's any intent involved in tim piazza death video of this. `` for an excruciating of..., Lars Kenyon, and it is gruesome, '' said Piazza 's death against. Pi building fraternity -- which has since been barred from Penn State Main in! Been barred from Penn State Main campus in State College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015 that spent time. Were in court for part of the largest hazing prosecutions in US history he was upstairs. Manslaughter and hazing exclusive reporting at this point that he was carried upstairs he.. Oct. 28, 2015 dumped water on his face and slapped him in an apparent attempt to wake,... Criminal indictment against a fraternity and its members in American history November 14, 2017 ten... [ 11 ] the tim piazza death video heavily intoxicated teen staggers toward the basement stairs, but his fall not! `` did not commit a crime, he said stairs at the Theta... ''. [ 11 ] carried upstairs of the largest hazing prosecutions in US history craig Heimer,,.