Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Former Beta Theta Pi Brother Found Guilty On One Count, Not Guilty On Two Others

A former Beta Theta Pi brother accused of erasing video evidence related to the 2017 death of Penn State fraternity pledge Timothy Piazza was acquitted on two misdemeanor charges and convicted on another by a Centre County jury on Thursday.

Braxton Becker was found not guilty of misdemeanor counts of tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice. The 22-year-old was found guilty of hindering apprehension

The jury deliberated for about five hours before delivering the split verdict, following two days of testimony. Becker will be sentenced in August.

He is the first defendant in the case to go to trial. More than two dozen fraternity brothers have been charged in the case, with most pleading guilty to misdemeanors or entering Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition programs for first-time offenders, and a few have had charges dismissed. Only former fraternity president Brendan Young and pledgemaster Daniel Casey still face trial, with their cases on hold pending appeals to state Superior Court.

Prosecutors alleged that Becker had deleted video from the frat house’s basement, footage which was later recovered by the F.B.I.

Surveillance video from the house has been key evidence in the case for prosecutors to determine who provided alcohol to pledges and who was aware of Piazza’s condition after his fall down the basement stairs. The 19-year-old died on Feb. 4, 2017, of head trauma, brain injuries and internal bleeding. Prosecutors said he was given 18 drinks in 82 minutes before he fell and that no one called for help until nearly 12 hours later.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Geoff Rushton (StateCollege.com)

Geoff Rushton is managing editor for StateCollege.com. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter at @geoffrushton.

My Two Cents: Sarah Lynn DeCarlo’s Senior Column

Do life “for shits and gigs” and say yes to everything college has to offer.

Penn State Football Wide Receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith Transfers To Auburn

Lambert-Smith was the first Nittany Lion to enter the portal during the spring window.

Penn State Football Defensive End Abdul Carter Accused Of Assault

According to the criminal complaint, Carter was involved in a scuffle with a tow truck driver.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Geoff

Man Pleads Guilty In Connection With Crash That Killed Penn State Student

Ahmed Alqubaisi pleaded guilty to one felony count of accidents involving death or personal injury for the the September 12 crash that killed a 25-year-old Penn State graduate student.

Penn State Professor Facing More Charges For Lewd Acts, Indecent Exposure In State Forest

Condo Hotel & Commercial Building Proposed For Downtown State College