Two former PSU students sentenced for roles in 2017 fraternity hazing death of Hunterdon County sophmore
Sophomore Timothy Piazza died from injuries sustained at Beta Theta Pi fraternity house
HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that the final two criminal defendants charged in the Timothy Piazza hazing case—Brendan Young and Daniel Casey—were sentenced Tuesday in Centre County Court.
Young, 28, and Casey, 27, each previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment. On Tuesday, both were sentenced to two to four months in prison (with work release eligibility), followed by three years of probation and community service.
As leaders of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the time, Young and Casey participated in and facilitated a hazing event in 2017 involving Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore student pledge from Lebanon. Piazza was found unresponsive the next morning after consuming large quantities of alcohol and died days later as a result of multiple falls incurred due to his intoxication.
“Our thoughts are with the Piazza family and everyone affected by this tragedy,” Henry said. “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 has reached a conclusion.”
Young and Casey entered open guilty pleas in July, meaning their sentences would be determined by a judge.
Since receiving the case, the Office of Attorney General has been a forceful advocate for justice, vigorously fighting for charges deemed appropriate for the defendants’ conduct. Those original charges were ultimately dismissed, and the Office of Attorney General appealed the suppression of certain evidence supporting them.
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.
Had that statute been in place at the time of the 2017 incident, the defendants could have faced harsher penalties.
