Penn State fraternity hazing scandal
| Pennsylvania v. Alpha Upsilon et al. | |
|---|---|
| Court | Centre County Courthouse |
| Full case name | The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Beta Theta Pi - Alpha Upsilon Chapter et al. |
| Decided | 2017 to present |
| Verdict | Multiple defendants have pled guilty; two defendants have successfully filed a stay. Not guilty of 18 Pa. C.S. 2504 , a felony against Timothy J. Piazza, a human being. Involuntary manslaughter charges refiled by Centre County, Pennsylvania District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller and Attorney General of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro. |
| Case history | |
| Subsequent actions | Civil lawsuit filed by the Piazza family; 25 of 47 defendants settling civilly. Passage of the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law signed by Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf. Stop Campus Hazing Act signed into law by President of the United States Joseph Biden. |
| Court membership | |
| Judges sitting |
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The Penn State fraternity hazing scandal is an ongoing issue within the Greek life system at Pennsylvania State University. The scandal encompasses hazing, binge drinking, and secretive ritualistic behavior. The scandal includes the separate deaths of college students Joseph Dado, Marquise Braham, and Timothy Piazza.
Piazza died as the result of hazing at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Pennsylvania State University at University Park, Pennsylvania. The incident led to the 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.
The scandal includes one of the largest criminal indictments against a fraternity and its members in American history. 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. Additional charges were added later. Piazza's death became a turning point for America's fraternities.