The DA re-filed charges and as part of that, had moved to have a different judge hear the case. That motion has been denied. In the fall, the original DA lost the re-election bid, and the new DA has handed the case to the state AG’s office .
(Also – the student who died in his dorm room was laid to rest in his hometown, and 30 of his fraternity brothers came to the visitation and funeral, as well as organized a memorial vigil on campus attended by his family and many many students. )
So will the original non-qualified judge preside again? Or will the state AG?
(I am not a lawyer and don’t know who does what. I learned you could be a judge in PA without the slightest training or education in law from this forum…)
The judge is duly elected, as are all magistrates. Technicaly they have to belong to the bar association, but can take some sort of alternate path. He does have criminolgy degrees and exeprience, but not a law degree. So, yes, that’s Pennsylvania for you, smh…
That judge will preside again, the AG’s office is doing an independant investigation and will either prosecute or not. They are not obligated to continue the refiled cases. This is much less about PSU inlfuence (the students have already been tossed out) and much more about the state of PA politics, especially the judiciary.
Well…I disagree. The PSU’s political influence in Centre County/Commonwealth can not be denied. PSU/Alumni want this to go away asap with as little noise as possible. It has been very disruptive and has potential impact on donors. Not saying PSU is influencing this directly…but I am a colleague of a State College official and I can tell you that there is a great deal of pressure being exerted from different angles.
A magistrate in PA does not need a related background or education. Judge needs to join the bar association.
Sororities seek to change frat culture…
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/penn-state-sororities-improving-greek-life-20180130.html
Skepticism on New Greek Rules
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/01/31/new-rules-florida-state-sororities-fraternities-hard-enforce-experts-say
As anniversary of frat pledge’s death nears, Penn State calls for action…
http://triblive.com/news/education/safety/13250965-74/penn-state-calls-for-action-on-hazing
Penn State president looks back over 12 months of sweeping change in Greek life
http://news.psu.edu/story/503433/2018/02/01/administration/penn-state-president-looks-back-over-12-months-sweeping
Penn State president: ‘Much remains to be done’ 1 year after pledge death
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/01/penn-state-president-much-remains-done-1-year-after-pledge-death/1085937001/
A year ago, Penn State’s Tim Piazza died, and his parents aren’t letting up…
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/01/penn-state-tim-piazza-hazing-drinking-fraternities/1078862001/
A year after fatal Penn State frat party, Piazza parents offer advice: 'it’s not too late for your son
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/02/timothy_piazza_february_hazing.html
Penn State, Piazzas reflect one year after Beta Theta Pi tragedy…
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/article197855309.html
Penn State Fraternity Death Brings New Attention To Hazing…
https://www.npr.org/2018/02/02/582670343/penn-state-fraternity-death-brings-new-attention-to-hazing
‘The memory of Timothy Piazza deserves nothing less’: Penn State reflects, one year after a death at a fraternity.
N.J. parents pen open letter a year after their son’s Penn State hazing death
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/nj_parents_pen_open_letter_a_year_after_their_sons_penn_state_hazing_death.html
ONE YEAR AFTER PENN STATE FRATERNITY PLEDGE TIM PIAZZA DIED, WHERE DOES THE CRIMINAL CASE STAND?
http://www.newsweek.com/tim-piazza-case-one-year-later-799048
On ‘Megyn Kelly Today,’ Piazzas Discuss Penn State’s Actions in the Year Since Their Son’s Death
Fraternities as Charitable Powerhouses? One University’s Numbers Suggest Otherwise…
https://www.chronicle.com/article/Fraternities-as-Charitable/242432
^^The whole story line about Greek houses as philanthropies is a huge smoke screen. Whenever there are discussions about the horrors that go on in fraternities and sororities, the defenders always chime in with, “But, but, but, they do so much good! They raise so much money for charities!” My answer is always 1) you can raise money without being in Greek life, and 2) raising money for charity does not give you license for bad behavior.
Penn State president looks back over 12 months of sweeping change in Greek life…
http://news.psu.edu/story/503433/2018/02/01/administration/penn-state-president-looks-back-over-12-months-sweeping
I have to say that if my S’s fraternity ever raised money for charity, he never mentioned it to me. 
On the other hand, they were a very diverse group, and didn’t haze people to death either.
‘Call it abuse and something gets done. Call it hazing and it’s a tradition’
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/penn-state/article198389914.html
@Consolation, I’ve never heard of a fraternity or sorority that was not heavily invested in raising money or donating time to charitable causes. Most of them have a pet project that they devote most of their time and energy into.
And yes, many of them haze and behave in other crappy behavior even though they engage in good stuff at other times.
I really don’t get why the frats won’t give up on the hazing thing. Why do they feel the need to cling to these ridiculous “traditions”? It’s mind boggling to me.
A year following Timothy Piazza’s death, Penn State continues to reform greek life. But is it doing enough?
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/borough/article_ad690f16-0a02-11e8-a5b5-274011addfc7.html
Beta Theta Pi making changes after anniversary of pledge’s death
http://wjactv.com/news/local/beta-theta-pi-making-changes-after-anniversary-of-pledges-death