PENN STATE SHAME: Whether Piazza was ‘forced’ or ‘compelled’ to drink emerges as key argument:
The difference between whether Beta Theta Pi pledge Timothy Piazza was forced or compelled to drink the night of Feb. 2 sparked argument Monday between Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller and defense attorney Frank Fina.
The afternoon session of the preliminary hearings centered around the fraternity members charged in death of the 19-year-old pledge picked up with the start of cross-examinations by the defense.
Michael Leahey, attorney for the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Theta Pi, briefly cross-examined State College police Detective David Scicchitano, noting that none of the officers of the fraternity house are recognized as officers of the national corporation of Beta Theta Pi. Scicchitano conceded that he had not reviewed the bylaws of the chapter or any of the corporate documents.
Fina, attorney for Beta President Brendan Young, spoke with Scicchitano for about three hours, noting that his client was very cooperative with police in providing them with the surveillance footage of the night in question.
Fina also raised the question of the identity of Tim Bream, Beta Theta adviser and Penn State employee, noting a text message from one Beta brother saying it was “Tim’s idea” that they delete screenshots to prevent leaks to the media. Scicchitano testified that when interviewed, Bream told police he had watched the bid acceptance ceremony where there was no alcohol involved and afterward had gone to his room.
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