Ex-Fraternity House Manager Given Probation

August 26, 2019 4:16 am

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) – The former house manager of a now-defunct Penn State fraternity where a pledge fell during a night of hazing and drinking and later died has been placed on two years’ probation on a hindering apprehension conviction.  Twenty-three-year-old Braxton Becker of Niskayuna, New York was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and do 100 hours of community service on the conviction stemming from the February 2017 death of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey.  The Centre Daily Times reports that defense attorney Karen Muir has vowed an appeal.  Becker, accused of deleting basement security camera footage, was convicted of hindering apprehension but acquitted of evidence-tampering and obstruction. Muir said her client “has learned a very hard, valuable lesson.”  Piazza’s death led to passage of a stricter state anti-hazing law.