HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that two men — former Penn State University students — have pleaded guilty to hazing and reckless endangerment for their actions in a 2017 hazing incident at a fraternity where they served in leadership roles.
Brendan Young and Daniel Casey each pleaded guilty this week in Centre County Court to 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment — all misdemeanors. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 1.
Young served as president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Casey was vice president and pledge master at the time of the February 2017 offenses.
Sophomore student Timothy Piazza, who was among the 14 pledges summoned to the house that night to participate in the bid acceptance event, was found unresponsive the next morning after consuming large quantities of alcohol during an initiation event referred to as an “obstacle course,” where the pledges consumed significant amounts of alcohol. Piazza died days later as a result of multiple falls incurred subsequent to his intoxication.
Young, 28, and Casey, 27, participated in and facilitated the hazing event.
“There should be no discussion of this case without recognizing the tragic loss of life and resulting devastation for Mr. Piazza’s family and friends,” Attorney General Henry said. “Mr. Piazza was simply seeking to join a social organization for the benefits of community and shared experiences, as so many university students do. Most of those students go on to successful lives and careers — basic expectations following college which Mr. Piazza never had the opportunity to experience.”
The Office of Attorney General accepted referrals of Young and Casey’s cases from the Centre County District Attorney’s Office. The criminal prosecution of these cases has taken a significant amount of time due, in large part, to appeals of pre-trial court rulings.
The 14 counts of hazing represent a count of hazing for each member of the Spring 2017 pledge class who were subjected to the obstacle course. The reckless endangerment charge pertains to Piazza.
The Piazza family was instrumental in the Pennsylvania legislature passing the Timothy Piazza Anti–Hazing Law, which includes a felony-graded offense when serious injury or death results.
The cases are being prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo and Deputy Attorney General Julia van Leeuwen.