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Preliminary Hearing For Former Penn State Fraternity Members In Timothy Piazza Hazing Death Case

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BELLEFONTE, Pa. (CBS/AP) — Former members of a Penn State fraternity are in court on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing on charges related to the alleged hazing death of a pledge.

The hearing Tuesday before a district judge will determine if there's enough evidence to send charges against several of the defendants in the case to county court for trial. It could last several days.

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It'll be the third preliminary hearing for the defendants and the fourth overall involving the death of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza, of Lebanon, New Jersey.

Piazza died of severe head and abdominal injuries after a bid acceptance ceremony at the Beta Theta Pi house in February 2017. Authorities say he consumed a dangerous amount of alcohol.

A video security system recorded much of what occurred that night.

Twenty-one members of the now-closed fraternity are facing various charges.

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Two former members have pleaded guilty to hazing and alcohol-related charges. One was sentenced to house arrest in July as the other awaits sentencing.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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