The last eight Beta Theta Pi brothers were arraigned in Bellefonte. District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller recommended bail be set at $50,000 unsecured for each of them. The presiding judge arraigned those facing similar charges at the same time.
Defendants Michael Schiavone and Lars Kenyon face the most charges. 14 of the charges related to reckless endangerment and 14 related to hazing while five others face a tampering with evidence charge.
Fraternity brothers are accused by the district attorneys office of trying to delete text messages sent the night Timothy Piazza fell down a 15 foot flight of stairs and received no medical attention for more than 12 hours.
Defendant Joseph Ems’s lawyer, William J. Brennan, says he takes this case very seriously and hopes to clear ems from what he calls a tragedy.
Brennan said, “My client’s a wonderful young man that’s never been in trouble and I think as the facts shake out, my client will hopefully be in a position to be extricated.”
Defendants are due in court May 17th for preliminary hearings.
