Watch CBS News

Pennsylvania Attorney General Appeals Court Ruling In Penn State Hazing Death Case

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS/CNN) - The Pennsylvania Attorney General is appealing a court ruling that dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against eight fraternity members in the hazing death of a Penn State student last year.

The notice of appeal was filed Thursday after a judge threw out the charges last month.

Judge Tosses Most Serious Charges In Penn State Frat Death 

"In the interest of justice for the Piazza family, our office today filed a notice of appeal with respect to charges against eight of the defendants in this case," said Joe Grace, spokesman for Attorney General Shapiro.

Nineteen-year-old sophomore Timothy Piazza died last February after drinking large quantities of alcohol during his first night of pledging at Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

The frat was supposed to be alcohol-free, but surveillance video showed Piazza was given at least 18 drinks in 82 minutes by members of the fraternity.

Surveillance video showed Piazza was given at least 18 drinks in 82 minutes by members of the fraternity. His blood alcohol level went "from a zero to as high as a .36," the grand jury report said, almost five times the legal limit.

Police Capture Coyote Spotted In South Philly 

Other security camera video played during a preliminary hearing last June detailed his harrowing final hours, showing him falling several times and staggering through the fraternity house before disappearing near basement stairs, where police say he plummeted 15 steps and lost consciousness.

Despite his apparent distress for 12 hours, the grand jury report said, the fraternity brothers did little to help him.

Involuntary manslaughter charges in the case have been rejected twice by the judge. Some members of the fraternity still face charges, including conspiracy, hazing and alcohol violations.

(©Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.