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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Monday, November 4, 2024

Final defendants sentenced in Timothy Piazza hazing case

State AG
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Attorney General Michelle Henry | Official Website

Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that Brendan Young and Daniel Casey, the final two defendants in the Timothy Piazza hazing case, were sentenced today in Centre County Court. Both Young, 28, and Casey, 27, had previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of hazing and one count of reckless endangerment.

On Tuesday, the court sentenced each to two to four months in prison with work release eligibility, followed by three years of probation and community service. Young and Casey were leaders at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity during a 2017 hazing event where Piazza, a sophomore pledge at Penn State University, consumed large amounts of alcohol. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died days later from multiple falls related to his intoxication.

“Our thoughts are with the Piazza family and everyone affected by this tragedy,” Attorney General Henry stated. “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.”

Young and Casey entered open guilty pleas in July, allowing their sentences to be determined by a judge. The Office of Attorney General advocated strongly for justice throughout the case but faced challenges as certain charges were dismissed and evidence suppression was appealed.

The Piazza family played a key role in passing the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. This law includes felony-graded offenses when serious injury or death occurs due to hazing. Had this statute been in place during the 2017 incident, harsher penalties could have been imposed on Young and Casey.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo and Deputy Attorney General Julia van Leeuwen prosecuted these cases.

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