PLEDGE NIGHT

18 Charged in Penn State Fraternity Death

After student’s death during house party.

Eighteen individuals and the Beta Theta Pi fraternity have been charged with manslaughter and furnishing alcohol to minors in the death of Timothy Piazza, a sophomore engineering student who was killed in February. At a Friday press conference, District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said the president of the fraternity, along with other students, were charged. Piazza was reported to have fallen down a flight of stairs during pledge festivities that involved heavy drinking. Investigators said fraternity member discovered him and moved him to a couch to let him “sleep it off” and called for medical attention the next morning. Penn State officials later shut down the fraternity house. The charges were the result of a 10-week grand-jury investigation. “This has been a very intense investigation,” she said. “I am not sure we have charged as many people at one time in one case.” Piazza’s family was present for the announcement. “We are devastated,” said Jim, his father.