A Judge has Dismissed Serious Charges against defendants for the Hazing Death of Timothy Piazza not once, but twice.
For the second time, Pennsylvania Judge, Allen Sinclair, has tossed out the most serious allegations against 11 Pennsylvania State University fraternity brothers who were arrested following the hazing death of Timothy Piazza last year. This sends a dangerous message to fraternities across the nation that life threatening hazing practices resulting in death and injury will be taken lightly in court. PUSH, Parents United to Stop Hazing, has released the following statement regarding the dropped allegations against the defendants for the hazing death of Timothy Piazza:
Friday, March 30, 2018: We, the members of Parents United to Stop Hazing (PUSH), want to convey in the strongest possible terms our outrage and profound disappointment in the ruling issued by Pennsylvania Magistrate Allen Sinclair in the hazing death of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza.
The most serious charges against the defendants in Tim’s case were dismissed not once, but twice! That sends exactly the wrong message to students who are a part of Greek Life: That they may engage in any criminal or dangerous behavior, including hazing; and will face little consequences for their actions. What a missed opportunity!
To deter criminal behavior of fraternity members, as well as those belonging to other campus-based groups like band, athletics and the military from engaging in reckless activity that can result in sexual assaults, serious physical and emotional harm, and in the worst case, death, the punishment needs to fit the crime. We ask the magistrate, what is the value of a life? What was the value of Timothy Piazza’s life? What is the value of the life of any young person in America and what should the punishment be when that life is recklessly stolen?
After reviewing a treasure trove of video and cell phone evidence revealing exactly what happened to Tim and the real-time response from his “so-called” Beta Theta Pi brothers, two seasoned prosecutors –one county, one state— determined that the defendants should be charged with very serious crimes that could result in lengthy prison sentences if they were convicted. But, perhaps in the most disturbing chapter in this tragic tale is that Magistrate Sinclair, made the unilateral decision to dismiss those most serious charges. Judge Sinclair may not realize it, but his ruling will make it more dangerous for students involved in Greek life and puts at greater risk any student on any campus in America, who makes the fateful decision to attend a Greek event. This ruling is a nod and a wink to all frat boys that they will not be held accountable for their actions, even if someone dies!
PUSH was created to end these types of injustices, and as the nation’s consciousness is focused on keeping our children safe, we will unite in strength with other parents to bring needed change and protect our kids.
The Fierberg National Law Group and School Violence Law send our sincere condolences to family and friends seeking justice for the loss of Timothy Piazza. Our firm has defended families and victims affected by fraternity hazing deaths and injury for over 20 years. We continue to ensure fraternities and fraternity brothers are held fully accountable for their misconduct.
