Penn State fraternity hazing death case goes to judge for decision

[TexasTowelie]

BELLEFONTE--A preliminary hearing over refiled criminal charges against 11 former Penn State fraternity brothers wrapped up Tuesday with a series of powerful closing arguments.

Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors had not brought forth any new evidence in the past three days that would cause Magisterial District Judge Allen Sinclair to overrule his decision last year to dismiss more than 200 criminal charges including alcohol violations, reckless endangerment and involuntary manslaughter.

Instead, some of the dozen attorneys argued, newly read text messages and police reports they introduced actually buoyed their contentions that the fraternity brothers didn't realize the life-threatening situation pledge Timothy Piazza was in after falling down the basement stairs during a booze-fueled party last year.

Piazza, 19, later died from his injuries.

But Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo said the messages and testimony introduced by defense attorneys were "after-the-fact" attempts to soften up what the brothers saw and knew the night of the fall.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/03/penn_state_hazing_death_case_g.html

[Rhiannon12866]

1. It's hard to believe these kinds of abuses are still going on

In his autobiography, Jimmy Carter talked about the hazing that went on at Annapolis when he was there - and said he was relieved to hear that the worst of it was prohibited after WWII...