Mixed verdict reached in Penn State frat-fall death case

Published May 30, 2019

Former Beta Theta Pi house manager Braxton Becker, center, leaves the Centre County Courthouse after being found guilty of one misdemeanor on Thursday, May 30, 2019 in Bellefonte, Pa. Becker was accused of intentionally deleting basement video from the fraternity house after Penn State sophomore Timothy Piazza fell down the steps in 2017. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

The former manager of a Penn State fraternity where a pledge fell during a night of hazing and drinking and later died has been convicted of hindering apprehension but acquitted of evidence tampering and obstruction.

The Centre Daily Times reported a jury deliberated about five hours before issuing the verdict Thursday against 22-year-old Braxton Becker, of Niskayuna, New York.

It was the first criminal trial to result from the February 2017 death of 19-year-old Tim Piazza, of Lebanon, New Jersey.

Piazza consumed a large quantity of alcohol the night of a pledge bid acceptance ceremony at the Beta Theta Pi house. His death led to passage of a stricter state anti-hazing law.

Becker was accused of deleting security camera footage to thwart investigators. His lawyer declined to comment.

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