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 19-year-old student died in February 2017 after an. Twelve more members of Penn State's Beta Theta Pi fraternity have been charged in the death of pledge Timothy Piazza after prosecutors were able to recover deleted surveillance video from. [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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? [46], On September 1, 2017, defendant Joseph G. Ems appeared on ABC News with his lawyer. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP, File), Penn State's former Beta Theta Pi fraternity house. 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. 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. That went on for an excruciating amount of time to watch without any action being taken.. 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. 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. 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. This is somebody who's blood alcohol was three times the legal limit and apparently had some internal injuries," said Ems Jr.'s attorney, William J. Brennan. Twenty-six men are facing various charges in connection with Piazza's death, including involuntary manslaughter, hazing and conspiracy, though aggravated assault charges were recently withdrawn. 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. Three brothers picked him up and placed him back on the couch. The defendants, and their charges, according to court documents: Brendan Young, 21, of Malvern, Pennsylvania: Aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, reckless endangerment, evidence tampering, hazing, alcohol-related charges. 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. 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. The. The grand jury report also called for a stronger state hazing law. He got up and tried to reach the front door but fell headfirst into it, knocking himself unconscious again. According to the grand jury presentment, around 9 p.m., the videos show Piazza and other pledges in a ritual called "the gauntlet," consuming large amounts of beer, vodka and wine in a matter of minutes. Beta Theta Pi has since been barred from Penn State. The video included him stumbling through the house before he was found, hours later, in the basement. (AP Photo/Chris Knight), May 5, 2017: District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller, left, announces findings of an investigation into the death of Penn State University fraternity pledge Tim Piazza. Really? [citation needed], "The bill has been carefully crafted because we want this to be a model for changing anti-hazing laws nationwide", Corman said. Recovered surveillance video from the Penn State hazing death shows fraternity members urging Tim Piazza to have at least 18 drinks in one hour and 22 minutes, according to prosecutors https://t . [citation needed], Lawmakers named the anti-hazing legislation after Timothy Piazza. Of course, this comes right after all of them watching video for five hours of what real cruel and inhumane punishment was when the fraternity brothers essentially murdered our son, tortured him, held him captive and left him for dead over a 12-hour period of time. [34], One of the fraternity brothers charged in the death of Piazza pleaded guilty on June 13, 2018, to nine charges, making him the first in the case to enter a guilty plea. He tries to get on his feet and falls back on the floor. Holy shit. More than two hours later the video shows a group of men carrying him back to the couch around 9:30 a.m. His body is rigid as the men stand around, some with their hands on their hips. Michael Schiavone, 21, of Yardley, Pennsylvania: Reckless endangerment, hazing and alcohol-related charges. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Last month the fraternity said it does not tolerate hazing or alcohol abuse, adding the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence. All the while, fraternity brothers did little to help him. Its a tragic situation, but criminally, Joey Ems did not commit a crime, he said. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Did you encounter any technical issues? 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. He looked dead. 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. He pleaded guilty to nine misdemeanor charges, including four counts of hazing and five counts involving unlawful acts related to alcoholic beverages. In addition to the fraternity brothers, the Beta Theta Pi fraternity itself was also charged. The Grand Jury received testimony regarding the prior Penn State fraternity hazing related death of Joe Dado and a suicide linked to hazing pressures at the Altoona branch of Penn State. [53], On March 30, 2021, settlements were reached with 25 defendants and third party defendants in civil suits. Penn State banned the fraternity after concluding it had engaged in a persistent pattern of excess drinking, drug use and hazing. Another captures Piazza on his phone as he rolls around. When he reappears on camera, carried by fraternity brothers, his body is limp and his abdomen clearly bruised. The Beta Theta Pi fraternity -- which has since been barred from Penn State -- is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and hazing. Another adjusts a blanket on him. Shortly after, Piazza apparently fell head-first down the basement stairs. The fraternity brother apparently leaves him on the ground. But Theyre Still Finding Joy at Christmas, How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. Prosecutors claim the fraternity brothers waited to get Piazza help in an attempt to cover up their drinking and "coordinate a story. Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid. But sadly, just because someone passes away doesn't mean that everybody in the room is responsible.". The incident led to closure of the fraternity's chapter at the university, and at least 26 members of the fraternity had charges of involuntary manslaughter dropped by a presiding judge. Joseph Sala, 19, of Erie, Pennsylvania: Aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, reckless endangerment, hazing and alcohol-related charges. Members of the fraternity, in the courtroom well with their lawyers, watched the footage with rapt attention. Eighteen Penn State students are facing charges: eight for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and hazing, among other charges; four for reckless endangerment and hazing, among other charges; and six for evidence tampering. Courtesy of Patrick Carns [56], Last edited on 24 February 2023, at 17:02, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2022 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, List of hazing deaths in the United States, "Recovered video leads to new charges in Penn State fraternity death", "Most serious charges in the Penn State hazing case were dismissed", "Prosecutor: Charges likely in deadly fall at Penn State frat", "Parents: 'Criminal' inaction by Penn State, frat members led to son's death", "A 19-year-old's death became a 'turning point' for America's fraternities", "Abbey's $3.5 million gift boosts Beta house restoration and Greek pride initiative | Penn State University", "READ: Stunning grand jury report on Penn State University fraternity culture", "Students charged with manslaughter in Penn State frat death", "Fraternity And Members Face Hundreds Of Charges In Timothy Piazza Hazing Death", "Former Beta Theta Pi social chairman pleads guilty", "List of 18 defendants, charges in Penn State hazing death", "Former Penn State frat member no longer charged in hazing case: 'No winners here', "18 drinks in 82 minutes: Prosecutor outlines new charges in Penn State frat hazing death", "Ex-fraternity house manager sentenced to 2 years' probation", "Video of Penn State Beta Theta Pi incident was deleted, officer testifies", "PSU hazing judge orders trainer Bream to court", "Former DA Parks Miller's law license suspended", "Castor Splits With Longtime Firm, Joining Phila. In 2006, Abbey raised another $3.5 million in renovation funds. He posted it to Snapchat and later deleted it, Scicchitano testified. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. Not worth it. He was a pledge of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the university. Shortly before 2 a.m., Piazza falls off the couch and the video appears to show Ems throw a shoe at his head. Sixteen members of Penn State's Beta Theta Pi chapter are facing multiple charges in the death of Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore who died during an alcohol-fueled hazing ritual. [8] Throughout the renovation process, fraternity brothers smashed holes in the walls with baseball bats, leading Abbey to predict future damage to the property. And they agonized over this decision," Kline said. 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. As the night went on, Piazza tried over and over to stand on his own, falling each time. This would go on to become the most expensive fraternity house renovation in American history. 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. This was an alcohol poisoning, followed by callous, reckless, inhumane behavior, Kline said. There's 300 other people in that house and a dozen that spent some time with him. Eighteen members of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, which has since been banned by Penn State, face a variety of charges, with some accused of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault and others of less serious offenses. Members of the fraternity went looking for him the next morning and found him in the basement, unconscious with labored breathing. Around 3 a.m., Piazza gets up and falls to the floor, hitting his head again. [35], On July 31, 2018, Burke was sentenced to three months of house arrest for his role in the hazing death of Piazza. 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. Vanity Fair published the article "How a Fatal Frat Hazing Became Penn State's Latest Campus Crisis" on October 3, 2017. Shortly after 7 a.m., he apparently fell down the basement stairs again. "But they decided that in the end this was not something that they should do. Magazines, Capture a Year of Painand Resiliencein Ukraine, Or create a free account to access more articles, Grand Jury Slams Penn State for 'Rampant and Pervasive' Fraternity Hazing After Tim Piazza's Death. In the video, the detective testified it appeared Piazza was entirely motionless as the fraternity brothers and one of their girlfriends looked on. UPDATE: On Monday a spokesperson for the fraternity told "CBS This Morning," "As these hearings begin, Beta Theta Pi International Fraternity has confidence in the judicial system that due process and justice can and will be served. Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. 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. Tim Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State sophomore and pledge at Beta Theta Pi, died on Feb. 4, 2017, after he fell down the stairs during a pledge ceremony at the house on the night of Feb. 2. At one point, a brother comes over to him, Piazza gets up and walks with him, then falls down another set of stairs. What happened next is described in horrific detail in a grand jury report citing evidence including surveillance video, witness testimony and phone records. Its not aggressive enough, and it wont save lives.. For that reason, we will continue to push for a partnership between student leaders and the university.". 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. Philly-Area College Presidents Are Leaving in Droves", "Judge: Penn State Can Buy Fraternity House Where Tim Piazza Was Fatally Hurt", Penn State frat pledge's skin had turned gray by morning after fall, prosecutor says, A Penn State student fell down the stairs at a fraternity and for nearly 12 hours, no one called police, Fraternity, 18 members charged in Penn State student's death, 18 Penn State Students Charged in Fraternity Death, The Hazing Triangle: Reconceiving the Crime of Fraternity Hazing, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Death_of_Tim_Piazza&oldid=1141354175. Piazzas parents were in court for part of the hearing. Updated on: June 12, 2017 / 8:52 AM He continued to stand up only to repeatedly fall back down. The 19-year-old died in February 2017 af. They pass around a bottle of vodka which travels up and down the line of 14 pledges three times. As a result of this evidence, the Grand Jury released a scathing 236-page report regarding hazing and excessive alcohol consumption at Penn State fraternities. Some time later, Piazza regained consciousness and rolled off the couch. Edward Gilmartin, 20, of Scranton, Pennsylvania: Evidence tampering. ", Kline said Piazza's family "did not have the strength or capacity to want to see the video.". 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. Prosecutors. [49], Kordel Davis led a Hazing Prevention tour in the Fall of 2019 entitled "One Night a Pledge". All Rights Reserved. "My intent with this legislation is clear to prevent death or serious injury due to hazing so that families, such as Tim's, never experience tragedies like this ever again. A forensic pathologist said Piazza had a blood alcohol content between .26% and .36% at one point during the night. One of them tries to pull his fingers apart. They dumped water on his face and slapped him in an apparent attempt to wake him, to no avail. Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at Penn State. [32], On February 2, 2018, Vice News published the documentary "Penn State is Still Keeping Secrets on Frat Row". Piazza is identified as the 9th pledge in line in a suit and tie. Jonah Neuman, Lars Kenyon, and Edward Gilmartin colluded in prohibiting witnesses from calling 9-1-1. [55], In December 2021, Centre County Judge Brian Marshall ruled that Penn State can take ownership of the Beta Theta Pi house. More extreme behaviors including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and the killing of small animals were documented. — -- High-quality surveillance video that captured the final movements of Penn State pledge Timothy Piazza as he was fatally injured at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house was played in court today, and the Piazza family attorney called the footage "gruesome.". Men carried Piazza's unconscious body upstairs and placed him back on the couch, where they shook him and tried to prop him up, according to the grand jury report. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. "Trying to raise to his feet in a praying position, and falling back down. Parker Yochim, 19, of Waterford, Pennsylvania: Reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. Before emergency assistance arrived, the brothers wiped blood from his face and attempted to dress him in an effort to warm him. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP, File). (Pool ) The shooter, he said, likely had blood in his eyes, was . Gary Dibileo, 21, of Scranton, Pennsylvania: Aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. Pandemic-era SNAP benefits end for millions of Americans as costs rise, Lawsuits claim dental device wrecked teeth, New FDA-approved drug can slow vision loss. The fraternity brothers didn't find him for another three hours -- and then waited 42 minutes to call 911. And my client was only with him for seconds. One member wanted to take Piazza to the hospital but was pushed aside by another, Scicchitano testified. (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. As the minutes tick by, without calling for help, prosecutors said "it appears they are cleaning him.". But that doesn't mean there's any intent involved in any of this.". Piazza was hospitalized and pronounced dead in the early hours of Feb. 4, according to a grand jury investigation report. One brother said Piazza's eyes were half open and he felt cold. Piazza was hospitalized and died the next day. Ryan Burke, age 21, pleaded guilty to four counts of hazing and five counts relating to unlawful acts involving liquor in the deadly injuries Piazza sustained following a night of heavy drinking and hazing. 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. "We will continue to cooperate with authorities in all manners to make sure of it. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. A judge will decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial and the surveillance video played in court today is a key part of that evidence. 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. On November 15, 2017, Caitlin Flanagan published the article "Death at a Penn State Fraternity" in The Atlantic. Adobe Premiere Pro 2023 is an impressive application which allows you to easily and quickly create high-quality content for film, broadcast, web, and more. During many months of testimony from multiple witnesses, including former pledges and others with first-hand experience, the Grand Jury collected evidence about the University's response and handling of hazing across the board. Luke Visser, one of 18 defendants in the death of Timothy Piazza, arrived for his preliminary hearing at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa., on Monday. [52] In March 2021, Bream sued Penn State a second time, claiming the university violated his contract and created "intolerable" working conditions as a result of his role in the Beta Theta Pi house. [19] As of November14, 2017[update], at least 26 members face charges. Piazza family attorney Tom Kline told ABC News today, "The video is horrific, it is gruesome, it is something that you couldnt imagine until youve seen it.". Defense attorneys representing fraternity members have argued that Piazzas death was a tragic accident and have fought for the dismissal of the most serious charges. He says the family hasn't decided whether they'll be in the courtroom when the surveillance videos are played. "No parent wants to see what is apparently on this videotape," Kline said. More than 1,000 counts were levied against 18 members of Beta Theta Pi, including eight who were charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. They pull out their phones and some make calls. Fraternity members tried to dress Piazza but couldn't because his body was too rigid, the detective said. Piazza died one day later. He also was seen falling and hitting his head on the stone floor, and grabbing his head and midsection in apparent agony. Piazza died at a hospital Feb. 4 from traumatic brain injury and had suffered severe abdominal bleeding as well as a skull fracture and other injuries. Piazza suffered a traumatic brain injury from several falls, including one down a set of basement stairs, according to a grand jury investigation. 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. Piazza's death became a 'turning point' for America's fraternities. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage \u0026 our original web series. Nicholas Kubera, 19, Downingtown, Pennsylvania: Aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, reckless endangerment, hazing, alcohol-related charges. 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. Surveillance video inside a Penn State frat house showed a student who looked like a corpse by the time fraternity members came to his aid, a police detective said on Monday. In this state of intoxication, he fell on the basement stairs of the house and was knocked unconscious. 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]. He was a staunch critic of hazing, and due to the toxic culture he found in Beta Theta Pi, he installed an extensive video surveillance system to ensure he would be notified if an emergency situation ever occurred on the property. Video deleted from Penn State fraternity camera in Timothy Piazza case, police say. [41], Legal scholars continually point to the Piazza case as a grounds for change in Hazing Prevention legislation. Soon emergency services arrived and Piazza was brought to Mount Nittany Medical Center, but was quickly transported to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center because of the severity of his injuries. Around 5 a.m., the cameras captured Piazza falling head-first into an iron railing. They pointed out that the defense does not have access to the video yet and only portions of it were shown in court Monday. [23] Former DA Parks Miller was reinstated to practice law in September 2021. Alcohol abuse and hazing, the governance of private fraternities, and the relationship between law enforcement and the internal disciplinary process confront academic institutions across the country, the response said. He reportedly drank a large amount of alcohol during a hazing ritual that night. He is dead weight, he said, also noting he had a bruise on his abdomen. On the night of February 2, 2017, while undergoing hazing activities for the fraternity, Piazza, on an essentially empty stomach, drank large amounts of alcohol in a short time as part of an obstacle course called "The Gauntlet", which required each pledge to drink from a bottle of vodka, drink a beer, and finally drink from a bag of wine. [17][18] On November 1, 2017, Lars Kenyon claimed "the judge got it right" and Kenyon has to "[figure] some stuff out". Toward the end of the hearing, defense lawyer Andy Shubin stood up during a break and said it was cruel and unusual punishment to make the attorneys stay in court for so long. Eight face the most serious charge of aggravated assault, a felony that carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison. The case attracted a significant amount of national media attention, and was regularly the main topic of many TV talk shows; including Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS This Morning and on CNN. We are highly offended by the insensitivity displayed given the severity of the crimes committed and ultimate outcome.. At 10:48 a.m., a fraternity member called 911. The next few hours of video show him in and out of consciousness, rolling on the floor, struggling to stand and repeatedly falling and hitting his head before he disappears again the morning of February 3. "The videotape is horrible, and it is gruesome," said Piazza family attorney Tom Kline. "He probably looked like just another frat kid. Magazines, Digital At least not today. ", First published on June 12, 2017 / 7:42 AM. On May 16, 2017, Mehmet Oz appeared on The Today Show to discuss warning signs of dangerous binge drinking. One comment in particular drew the ire of Piazzas family. Next he gets up again and walks into the side of the stairs railing, and falls down onto the stone floor, the video appears to show. [20], That same day, defense attorneys for a number of the defendants started to put blame on Tim Bream, the Penn State Nittany Lions football head athletic trainer and Beta Theta Pi live-in advisor. The students have not entered pleas. (AP Photo/Chris Knight), Michael Bonatucci, left. Two minutes later, the video shows a group carrying Piazza up the stairs unconscious. We have tried to remain committed to being an active part of the solution within our community. [9], The Penn State chapter of Beta Theta Pi was known to have a deep history of hazing. The Piazza case resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in US history. appreciated. Prosecutors showed the video for the first time Monday in a preliminary hearing to determine if theres enough evidence to go to trial. 9:06 PM EDT, Tue June 13, 2017, Hearing begins on fraternity hazing death case. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. As a pledge of the fraternity, Piazza was put through the gauntlet, in which he moved from station to station drinking alcohol. Piazza gets up again and walks toward the front door, before he staggers and slams into the door, the video appears to show. The death of Tim Piazza led to the largest criminal indictment against a fraternity and its members in American history. Tim Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State sophomore and pledge at Beta Theta Pi, died on Feb. 4, 2017, after he fell down the stairs during a pledge ceremo.Show more --- Courtesy Piazza Family The bill stems from the alcohol-fueled hazing ritual 19-year-old sophomore Tim Piazza participated in at the Beta Theta Pi frat house on Feb. 2, 2017. More than 1,000 counts were levied against 18 members of Beta Theta Pi, including eight who were charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. [26], The case was the headline of a number of magazine articles. Joking among themselves. Prosecutors claim the frat brothers then tried to cover up the alleged hazing and underage drinking. Scicchitano said Piazza was clearly injured after his first serious fall, at 11:22 p.m. He is unconscious, his eyes are closed, he is limp. "I think we are f-----," he added. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. 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