Victim's parents 'disappointed' in judge's ruling in Penn State hazing hearing
The attorney for the parents of Penn State hazing victim Timothy Piazza, has issued this statement on the outcome of the latest preliminary hearing on criminal charges flowing from Piazza's death.
Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia Jr. threw out involuntary manslaughter charges, marking the third time that state or county prosecutors have lost bids to attach homicide charges to Piazza's death.
Thomas R. Kline's statement:
"While disappointed in today's rulings, the parents of Timothy Piazza remain steadfast and resolute in their support of the Pennsylvania Attorney General seeking to achieve a full measure of justice in the tragic death of their son.
"Also, the addition of the conspiracy (to commit hazing) charges is a significant enhancement against many defendants and is indeed a significant advancement towards accountability for those who caused Tim's death."
Kline, in a follow-up telephone interview with PennLive Friday, also said he believes Prestia's ruling on the manslaughter charges - which takes the greatest potential punishment off the table for prosecutors - bolsters the argument for tougher hazing statutes as proposed by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County.
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https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/piazza_familys_attorney_weighs.html