2 Penn State Frat Brothers Sentenced In Pledge's Hazing Death

MALVERN, PA — Two men, including one who was president of a Penn State fraternity where a pledge died after a night of heavy drinking, were sentenced Tuesday for their roles in the 2017 death.

Brendan Young, 28, a former Malvern resident who now lives in Philadelphia, received a two-to-four month prison sentence in connection with the death of Timothy Piazza, a then 19-year-old Penn State sophomore who hailed from New Jersey, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said Tuesday. He will also serve three years of probation and do community service.

Daniel Casey, 27, who served as the chapter's vice president and pledge master, pleaded guilty to the same charges. Casey received the same sentence Tuesday.

Piazza died after a fall during a bid acceptance night party on Feb. 2 that investigators said included hazing and excessive binge drinking. He died the next day after suffering from a head injury and ruptured spleen.

Young and Casey were among the fraternity members who participated in and facilitated the hazing event, authorities said.

The attorney general's office said Piazza's family were instrumental in the passing of 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, Young could have been subjected to harsher penalties, authorities said.

"Our thoughts are with the Piazza family and everyone affected by this tragedy," Attorney General 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 reached a conclusion."

Young was charged in May 2017, along with 17 other members of the fraternity.

Young and Casey each pleaded guilty in a Centre County court to 14 counts of hazing and a single count of reckless endangerment — all misdemeanors. The 14 counts of hazing represent a count of hazing for each member of the Spring 2017 pledge class who were subjected to the same bid acceptance rituals. The reckless endangerment charge pertains to Piazza.

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"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," Henry said in July after the guilty pleas were entered. "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."