Attorney: Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Dropped Against Penn State Frat Members In Pledge's Death
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- All involuntary manslaughter charges against 11 former Penn State fraternity members in the death of a pledge have been dropped.
The attorney for Timothy Piazza's family confirmed that those charges were dismissed by a Centre County judge on Wednesday.
However, conspiracy charges have been added for some of those former frat members.
"While disappointed that the refiled involuntary manslaughter charges against the fraternity brother criminal defendants were again not sustained by Magistrate Judge Sinclair, the parents of Tim Piazza are heartened that the important newly filed conspiracy charge has now been added and will move forward to trial along with the charges of reckless endangerment and hazing," attorney Tom Kline said in a statement. "These charges carry with them significant penalties, including substantial jail time. Jim and Evelyn Piazza are optimistic that the Pennsylvania Attorney General will obtain a full measure of justice on behalf of their son, and this prosecution will eventually deter this kind of abhorrent conduct."
The 19-year-old Piazza died after a night of heavy drinking at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house in 2017.