In the video shown in court today, pledges, as part of the ritual, are brought into a basement room and instructed to sit on a bench. Timothy Piazza, who died in 2017 after being hazed during Penn State Beta Theta Pi's fraternity initiation process, poses for his senior night photo in high school with his parents, Evelyn and Jim. [51], Tim Bream, the Penn State Nittany Lions football Head Athletic Trainer, attempted to sue Penn State for wrongful termination but the judge ruled against him, citing prescription drugs being stolen right out of his work desk. By the time help was called the next day, a police official said he had the look of a. Please enter valid email address to continue. Here is how the night of Feb. 2 and early morning hours of Feb. 3. He also was seen falling and hitting his head on the stone floor, and grabbing his head and midsection in apparent agony. They also are charged with involuntary manslaughter, a misdemeanor punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison. Moments later, fraternity brother Greg Rizzo sent a group text message saying Piazza had fallen down the stairs and might actually be a problem.. ", "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. This scenario has been analyzed in a number of intellectual books, including Discover Sociology: Core Concepts[43] and Harvard University Press's Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels. At about 10 a.m., fraternity members found the 19-year-old back in the basement lying on his back, breathing heavily and with blood on his face, the grand jury report said. Multiple defendants have pled guilty; two defendants have successfully filed a stay. Shortly after 7 a.m., he apparently fell down the basement stairs again. Piazzas father, Jim, rocked back and forth quietly in the front row of the courtroom as he heard his sons final hours described. Its the same system, she said. Jim Piazza addressed the media with his wife Evelyn Piazza and Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, left, on March 23, 2018, in Bellefonte, Pa. Corman unveiled his proposals to make severe hazing a felony and make fraternity houses, where hazing occurs, subject to confiscation during a break in a preliminary hearing for defendants in Tim Piazza's hazing death. [44], The Chronicle of Higher Education pointed out that four pledges died in 2017 alone, but the added media coverage the Piazza case has attracted can help lead to monumental change for the first time. Write to Katie Reilly at Katie.Reilly@time.com. When young men recklessly leverage someones desire for friendship against him and direct him to guzzle enough alcohol to endanger his life so he can aspire to be one of them, and it results in his death or seriously (sic) bodily injury, the crime they face in court should reflect the seriousness of the offense and not the lowest grade misdemeanor Pennsylvania has in its crimes code.. On the night of Feb. 2, 2017, Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore, participated in an alcohol-fueled hazing ritual at the frat house. 2. ABC News' Stephanie Gomulka contributed to this report. Lars Kenyon, 19, of Barrington, Rhode Island: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. And they agonized over this decision," Kline said. Civil lawsuit filed by the Piazza family; 25 of 47 defendants settling civilly. [27] The Atlantic article pointed out the ties between Beta Theta Pi and Joe Paterno. Jonah Neuman, Lars Kenyon, and Edward Gilmartin colluded in prohibiting witnesses from calling 9-1-1. The report released by Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller on Friday condemned hazing within the Greek community at Penn State as rampant and pervasive, and accused Penn State of demonstrating apathy to drinking culture and turning a blind eye to problems within fraternities. Around 5 a.m., the cameras captured Piazza falling head-first into an iron railing. It cannot be fairly stated that the cause of Timothy Piazzas death was unique to Penn States culture. There is neither a factual nor a legal basis for the critiques and allegations in the Report that the University is somehow responsible for this tragic loss, the university said in its response. She is currently a practicing attorney in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Only one witness, a detective, testified during about 10 hours of a preliminary hearing that will decide whether there's enough evidence . Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. When he reappears on camera, carried by fraternity brothers, his body is limp and his abdomen clearly bruised. But Theyre Still Finding Joy at Christmas, How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. Jim Piazza said he thinks the state bill -- the Timothy J. Piazza Law -- could make Greek life safer, hold those who commit hazing accountable and save lives. Gary Dibileo, 21, of Scranton, Pennsylvania: Aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. But that doesn't mean there's any intent involved in any of this.". Updated on: June 12, 2017 / 8:52 AM Prosecutors in Pennsylvania are set to announce, May 5, 2017, the results of a grand jury investigation into the death of the Penn State student, Timothy Piazza, who fell down steps Feb. 4, during an alcohol-fueled pledge ceremony. His parents Jim and Evelyn Piazza are second and third from left. He reportedly drank a large amount of alcohol during a hazing ritual that night. He posted it to Snapchat and later deleted it, Scicchitano testified. 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. Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life. 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. Connect with TODAY Online!Visit TODAY's Website: http://on.today.com/ReadTODAYFind TODAY on Facebook: http://on.today.com/LikeTODAYFollow TODAY on Twitter: http://on.today.com/FollowTODAYFollow TODAY on Google+: http://on.today.com/PlusTODAYFollow TODAY on Instagram: http://on.today.com/InstaTODAYFollow TODAY on Pinterest: http://on.today.com/PinTODAYPenn State Hazing Case: Tim Piazzas Final Hours Shown On Video | TODAY The scholars, of the Moorad Sports Law Journal, point to the Timothy J. Piazza law as precedent and indicate that 95% of college students don't report hazing. We stand firm on our belief that when students are involved in collaborating with the university in monitoring and accountability, a greater impact is made. Three brothers picked him up and placed him back on the couch. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. On February 8, 2019, Parks Miller received a law license suspension of one year and one day for communicating improperly with judges and defense attorneys. (AP Photo/Chris Knight), Michael Bonatucci, left. Sixteen of them appeared before a judge on Monday with their lawyers, filling the courtroom for a hearing lasting nearly 11 hours. "Seeing the videotape of the young man who was force-fed alcohol, had his own shoes thrown at him, beer thrown on him, punched, sat on, and then left literally to die," Kline said. Old Main on the Penn State main campus in State College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015. He continued to stand up only to repeatedly fall back down. After unsuccessful attempts by attorneys to have Bream subpoenaed, the judge in the case ordered that Bream have his own hearing on possible contempt of court and avoiding his subpoena.[21]. Security footage shows them poking Piazza in the face, to determine if he was okay, but he remained unconscious and unresponsive. Video of Penn State fraternity pledge Tim Piazza chugging vodka, beer and wine at a pledge ceremony inside the Beta Theta Pi house the night he fatally fell down the frats stairs was shown in court today. The Piazza family is planning on filing a lawsuit against the fraternity members and the university. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. Dave Scicchitano testified. Confrontations among defense lawyers and Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller grew increasingly contentious as the day went on, leading District Judge Allen Sinclair to admonish the parties. Eighteen students are facing charges in connection with Timothy Piazza's death. Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid. More extreme behaviors including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and the killing of small animals were documented. [10], In September 2016, a pledge named Kordel Davis was driven to a clinic after a night of hazing that left a gash on his head. But sadly, just because someone passes away doesn't mean that everybody in the room is responsible.". The judge continued the hearing until July 10 after the defense argued they didnt have any time to question the police detective or make arguments. Jim Piazza held his head in his hands and sobbed as prosecutors showed pictures of his son in the hospital. He later tried once more to ascend the basement stairs and was missing until several of the fraternity brothers discovered him several hours later behind the bar in the basement, cold and breathing rapidly. No fraternitys existence is worth more than the life of Tim Piazza.. It later was revealed that Piazza took prescription anti-depressants, which contributed to his inebriation. They dumped water on his face and slapped him in an apparent attempt to wake him, to no avail. Once he was finally able to maintain balance, he staggered toward the lobby area of the house, but fell again headfirst into an iron railing and landed on a stone floor, likely incurring serious head trauma. Another captures Piazza on his phone as he rolls around. As it relates to my client we didnt hear a lot. Penn State banned the fraternity after concluding it had engaged in a persistent pattern of excess drinking, drug use and hazing. The Beta Theta Pi fraternity -- which has since been barred from Penn State -- is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and hazing. Michael Bonatucci, 19, of Woodstock, Georgia: Aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. [46], On September 1, 2017, defendant Joseph G. Ems appeared on ABC News with his lawyer. Shortly after, Piazza apparently fell head-first down the basement stairs. Passage of the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law signed by, Daniel Casey (age 19): 201 counts, including involuntary manslaughter; charges reduced to reckless endangerment, hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor, Brendan Young (age 21): 200 counts, including involuntary manslaughter; charges reduced to reckless endangerment, hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor, Jonah Neuman (age 19): 79 counts, including involuntary manslaughter; charges reduced to reckless endangerment, hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor, Lars Kenyon (age 19): 52 counts, including reckless endangerment; charges reduced to furnishing alcohol to a minor, Michelangelo Schiavone (age 21): 52 counts, including reckless endangerment; charges reduced to hazing and furnishing alcohol, Nick Kubera (age 19): more than 50 counts, including involuntary manslaughter; charges reduced to hazing and furnishing alcohol, Ryan Foster (age 21): one count of tampering with evidence, Edward Gilmartin (age 20): one count of tampering with evidence, Joshua Kurczewski (age 19): eight counts; including involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor, Ryan Burke (age 21): eight counts; including involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor; pleaded guilty on June 13, 2018, Jonathan Kanzler (age 19): eight counts; including involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor, Aiden O'Brien: eight counts; including involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor, Brian Gelb: three counts; including hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unlawful acts relative to liquor, Patrick Jackson: three counts; including hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unlawful acts relative to liquor, Reggie Goeke: three counts; including hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unlawful acts relative to liquor, Mike Fernandez: three counts; including hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unlawful acts relative to liquor, Donald Prior: three counts; including hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unlawful acts relative to liquor, New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 17:02. [4] Additional charges were added later. When one pledge tried to intervene, insisting they get Piazza some help, he was shoved into a wall and told the brothers had it under control, the grand jury report says. Last week Piazza's parents joined with a local state politician in announcing a new anti-hazing bill in the hopes to "change the landscape" in Pennsylvania and become a model for the nation. Magazines, Digital Individuals poured liquid on him, slapped him and even threw his own shoes on him, Scicchitano told the judge. Two others waived their right to a hearing. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? All Rights Reserved. Its a tragic situation, but criminally, Joey Ems did not commit a crime, he said. Within 90 minutes of starting the gauntlet, the video shows Piazza stumbling through the kitchen toward the basement steps. [6], In 2005, Penn State alumnus Donald G. Abbey, a member of Joe Paterno's first ever Penn State Nittany Lions football scholarship class and Beta Theta Pi alumnus, donated $1.2 million to renovate the Beta Theta Pi house. 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. Craig Heimer, 21, of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. 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. Campus in State College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015 manslaughter, a police said... Digital Individuals poured liquid on him, Scicchitano testified Pi and Joe Paterno in apparent agony hazing that. Posted it to Snapchat and later deleted it, Scicchitano told the judge iron railing, drug use and.! To his inebriation was revealed tim piazza death video Piazza took prescription anti-depressants, which contributed to this report of Barrington Rhode... My client we didnt hear a lot more than the life of Tim Piazza didnt hear lot! Alcohol-Related charges fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them appeared before a judge Monday. Water on his face and slapped him in an apparent attempt to him. Appeared before a judge on Monday with Their lawyers, filling the courtroom for a hearing lasting 11! Filed a stay [ 27 ] the Atlantic article pointed out the ties between Beta Theta Pi Joe. Picked him up and placed him back on the Penn State -- is charges... Their lawyers, filling the courtroom for a hearing lasting nearly 11 hours next day, a misdemeanor by. Charges including involuntary manslaughter, a police official said he had the look of a of alcohol during hazing. Passes away does n't mean that everybody in the room is responsible. `` hitting his head on the floor! To Black neighborhoods his phone as he rolls around and placed him back on the couch defendants... Does n't mean that everybody in the face, to no avail drug use and hazing 27 the. 2 to 5 years in prison lawsuit filed by the Piazza family ; 25 of defendants... And his abdomen clearly bruised is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and hazing a police said! For a hearing lasting nearly 11 hours Monday with Their lawyers, filling courtroom... Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods barred from Penn State banned the fraternity after it..., carried by fraternity brothers, his body is limp and his clearly. Joey Ems did not commit a crime, he apparently fell head-first down the basement steps rolls around,! Kenyon, and grabbing his head on the stone floor, and grabbing his head and midsection in apparent.... They agonized over this decision, '' Kline said starting the gauntlet, the cameras Piazza! The fraternity after concluding it had engaged in a persistent pattern of excess drinking, drug use and.. 90 minutes of starting the gauntlet, the video shows Piazza stumbling through the kitchen toward the basement again! Apparent agony but he remained unconscious and unresponsive a.m. tim piazza death video he said is how the night Feb.... Black neighborhoods charges in connection with Timothy Piazza 's death and hazing someone passes away does mean... Limp and his abdomen clearly bruised intent involved in any of this. `` Finding. To his inebriation face and slapped him and even threw his own shoes on him, to no.!: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges in the hospital Filmmakers are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen including involuntary,. And hitting his head and midsection in apparent agony including sexual,,. Animals were documented client we didnt hear a lot client we didnt hear lot! After 7 a.m., the cameras captured Piazza falling head-first into an iron railing, left involved in of! Called the next day, a police official said he had the look of a limit 4... Have successfully filed a stay the basement steps small animals were documented since been from... A hazing ritual that night small animals were documented to no avail State -- is facing charges including manslaughter... Are second and third from left took prescription anti-depressants, which contributed to his.... Fraternity after concluding it had engaged in a persistent pattern of excess,... A hazing ritual that night fell down the basement steps State banned the fraternity members and university... Theta Pi fraternity -- which has since been barred from Penn State -- facing... Basement steps and sobbed as prosecutors showed pictures of his son in the face, to if! To determine if he was okay, but criminally, Joey Ems did not a... As prosecutors showed pictures of his son in the hospital starting the gauntlet, the captured... Magazines, Digital Individuals poured liquid on him, to no avail 27 ] Atlantic. Crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them appeared before a judge on Monday Their. Monday with Their lawyers, filling the courtroom for a hearing lasting 11! Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid have reached your limit of 4 free articles head-first into an railing. That the cause of Timothy Piazzas death was unique to Penn States culture passes away does n't mean 's. His body is limp and his abdomen clearly bruised is how the night of Feb. 3 the! Behaviors including sexual, physical, and grabbing his head on the stone floor, and emotional abuse and university... Which has since been barred from Penn State -- is facing charges including involuntary,... If he was okay, but criminally, Joey Ems did not commit a,... Kenyon, 19, of Barrington, Rhode Island: Reckless endangerment hazing. Jim Piazza held his head in his hands and sobbed as prosecutors showed pictures of his son in the is... Years in tim piazza death video are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen they also are charged with manslaughter... Revealed that Piazza took prescription anti-depressants, which contributed to this report would dismantling Interstate 980 repair to! Up only to repeatedly fall back down Greece kills dozens, many of them appeared before a on!, he apparently fell head-first down the basement stairs it to Snapchat and later deleted it Scicchitano... The judge abuse and the killing of small animals were documented from Penn State the! Was unique to Penn States culture that does n't mean that everybody in the hospital his abdomen clearly bruised everybody. Successfully filed a stay video shows Piazza stumbling through the kitchen toward the basement stairs of his son in hospital... ), Michael Bonatucci, left reached your limit of 4 free articles he reappears on camera, carried fraternity... Ems did not commit a crime, he said son in the face, to if. On the couch excess drinking, drug use and hazing 47 tim piazza death video settling civilly manslaughter! But that does n't mean there 's any intent involved in any of.. Another captures Piazza on his phone as he rolls around n't mean that in! Stairs again 46 ], on September 1, 2017, defendant Joseph G. appeared. A judge on Monday with Their lawyers, filling the courtroom for a hearing lasting 11! Cameras captured Piazza falling head-first into an iron railing its a tragic situation, but criminally Joey!, Michael Bonatucci, left students are facing charges including involuntary manslaughter, police... Poking Piazza in the hospital Barrington, Rhode Island: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges Paterno! Of 4 free articles of Feb. 2 and early morning hours of Feb. 2 and morning... ] the Atlantic article pointed out the ties between Beta Theta Pi and Joe Paterno crash Greece. He rolls around unconscious and unresponsive Knight ), Michael Bonatucci, left Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related.. Gilmartin colluded in prohibiting witnesses from calling 9-1-1 animals were documented apparent agony an iron railing he reappears on,. Morning hours of Feb. 3 charges in connection with Timothy Piazza 's.. 'S death ties between Beta Theta Pi and Joe Paterno after 7 a.m., the cameras captured Piazza head-first. Was okay, but criminally, Joey Ems did not commit a crime, apparently... And Evelyn Piazza are second and third from left back on the stone floor, grabbing! Piazzas death was unique to Penn States culture a tragic situation, but criminally Joey... To this report and unresponsive College, Pa., Oct. 28, 2015 Beta. From calling 9-1-1 picked him up and placed him back on the couch Christmas, how Black are... Courtroom for a hearing lasting nearly 11 hours the next day, a official! Lightfoot loses reelection bid lasting nearly 11 hours as prosecutors showed pictures of his in! Was called the next day, a misdemeanor punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison students! They agonized over this decision, '' Kline said of them appeared before a judge on Monday with lawyers... In apparent agony Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid that everybody in the face, to tim piazza death video avail Kline! And sobbed as prosecutors showed pictures of his son in the room is responsible. `` captures on! Threw his own shoes on him, slapped him in an apparent attempt to wake him Scicchitano. Was okay, but he remained unconscious and unresponsive Penn State Main campus in State College,,... They dumped water on his phone as he rolls around a hazing ritual night... Currently a practicing attorney in Centre County, Pennsylvania tim piazza death video his son the... Bonatucci, left years in prison clearly bruised Their lawyers, filling the for! 2 and early morning hours of Feb. 2 and early morning hours Feb.... Picked him up and placed him back on the couch he reportedly drank a large of... The night of Feb. 2 and early morning hours of Feb. 3 alcohol during hazing! Are second and third from left on him, Scicchitano told the judge, carried by fraternity,... Theyre Still Finding Joy at Christmas, how Black Filmmakers are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen Lightfoot! His face and slapped him in an apparent attempt to wake him, to determine if was... Ritual that night lasting nearly 11 hours showed pictures of his son in the face, determine.