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First Former Beta Theta Pi Brothers Sentenced To Jail Time Now Receiving House Arrest

Two former Beta Theta Pi brothers, who were the first to receive jail time resulting from guilty pleas related to the hazing death of Penn State sophomore Tim Piazza, have had their jail sentences switched to house arrest.

Joshua Kurczewski, who pleaded guilty to one count each of hazing, conspiracy to commit hazing, and furnishing alcohol to a minor in January and was sentenced three to nine months of jail time in early April, will now receive intermediate punishment for nine months, including three months of house confinement.

He was ordered to pay a $2,250 fine and perform 100 hours of community service, and his one year of probation following intermediate punishment is still in effect.

Michael Bonatucci, who pleaded guilty to three counts of hazing and one count of conspiracy to commit hazing in January, was originally sentenced in April to 30 days of jail time. he will now serve six months of intermediate punishment, including 30 days of home confinement, according to WTAJ.

He was ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and perform 100 hours of community service. His two years of probation following intermediate punishment is still in effect.

Kurczewski and Bonatucci both played roles in the fraternity’s bid acceptance night when Piazza was given 18 drinks in an 82-minute span. Kurczewski was accused of handing beers to pledges during a drinking obstacle course event called “the gauntlet” and witnessing Piazza fall down the stairs, while Bonatucci provided four pledges, none of whom were Piazza, beers to shotgun.

Both former Beta Theta Pi brothers had more serious charges, including aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, either dismissed or withdrawn through the process of this case.

The other defendant who was sentenced to jail time, Luke Visser, filed a motion earlier this week to have his jail sentence switched to house arrest and the duration of two to six months to be reduced.

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About the Author

Steve Connelly

Unfortunately, former editor Steve Connelly has graduated. Where is he now? He might be doing something related to that PR degree he got in 2019. Maybe he finally opened that sports bar named after one of his photos, the Blurry Zamboni. Or he might just be eating chicken tenders and couch surfing. Anything’s possible. If you really want to know, follow him on Twitter @slc2o.

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