Penn State Hazing Death Case: Manslaughter Charges Refiled

Involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault charges have been re-filed against 11 Beta Theta Pi brothers in connection with the alleged hazing death of a 19-year-old sophomore last February, the Centre County District Attorney announced Friday.

The most serious charges against the fraternity brothers had been dismissed in August after a five-day preliminary hearing that began in June. Magisterial District Judge Allen Sinclair dismissed all counts of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. The unexpected ruling came as a blow to the prosecution, who vowed at the time to refile the charges.

Timothy Piazza, a sophomore from New Jersey, took a fatal fall after becoming heavily intoxicated at the party Feb. 2. No one called for help until late the next morning, and Piazza died Feb. 4. He suffered head and internal injuries, doctors said, and had a life-threatening blood alcohol level following an alleged hazing ritual on bid acceptance night, prosecutors said.

A total of 18 Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers were charged in connection with Piazza's death; two waived their preliminary hearing. Eight fraternity brothers faced manslaughter charges. Others were charged with aggravated assault, tampering with evidence and related charges.

RELATED: Penn State Frat House Death: Fast Drinking, Slow Death, Frantic Coverup In Grand Jury Timeline

"The Commonwealth today resurrected every single count for involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault against every single one of the eight defendants originally charged," Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said in a statement.

She continued:

"The Commonwealth filed the new criminal complaints in the office of Magisterial District Judge Allen Sinclair as required by law since he was the presiding judge over the last preliminary hearing. However, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, the District Attorney’s Office will also be filing a Motion requesting the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas to assign an alternate issuing authority (a different Magisterial District Judge) to preside over the next preliminary hearing."

The following charges have been refiled after dismissal by Judge Sinclair:

Related: A who's who of the defendants in the Penn State hazing case

Brendan Young: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Hazing, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Daniel Casey: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Hazing, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Jonah Neuman: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Nick Kubera: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Michael Bonatucci: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Gary Dibileo: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault

Luke Visser: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault

Joe Sala: Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Michael Angelo Schiavone: Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Lars Kenyon: Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor

Parker Yochim: Recklessly Endangering Another Person

Click here for a timeline of the case.

PHOTO: Google maps