Penn State fraternity death of Tim Piazza: Ryan Burke pleads guilty

Nick Muscavage | Courier News and Home News Tribune

Show Caption Hide Caption ‘Shocking apathy’ to drinking allowed frat death A grand jury's report in the wake of the death of 19-year-old Tim Piazza in February says Penn State officials displayed 'a shocking apathy' to dangers from excessive drinking and that its inaction allowed criminal acts to occur. (Dec. 15)

BELLEFONTE, Pa. – A former Penn State University fraternity brother on Wednesday entered the first guilty plea in the death of 19-year-old Readington resident Tim Piazza, who was fatally injured after a night of heavy drinking and hazing.

Ryan Burke, 21, of Scranton, pleaded guilty Wednesday to all nine remaining charges he faced, including four misdemeanors alleging hazing. Other charges were previously dismissed or withdrawn.

“There are too few words to describe a loss so great. This young man understands that,” Burke’s attorney, Philip Masorti, said outside the courthouse, putting his hand on Burke’s shoulder. “This is a tragedy, and he is anxious to make amends.”

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More: More charges in Tim Piazza hazing death at Penn State fraternity

In addition to the four counts of hazing, Burke on Wednesday also pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licenses, and one count of purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor and malt or brewed beverages.

Originally, he was facing involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangering another person.

Burke was accused of giving Piazza a bottle of vodka at the party. He’ll be sentenced July 31.

“We are pleased to see one individual accept responsibility and encourage others to follow in his steps,” said Tom Kline, attorney for Piazza’s parents, Jim and Evelyn.

Twenty-five other defendants face charges in the death of Piazza, who was an engineering student at the college. The freshman pledge drank a dangerous amount of alcohol and suffered fatal injuries in a series of falls during a party last year. Prosecutors say fraternity members did little or nothing to help him.

A video camera allegedly captured the final hours of Piazza's life inside the Penn State fraternity house. The incident was described by former Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller.

The video allegedly captured copious amounts of beer and liquor drinking. There were "beer gauntlets" initially on the first floor, and then down in the basement.

As they returned to the first floor, the pledges appeared to show signs of intoxication, and Piazza had to be helped to a couch, according to the grand jury and witness testimony during the lengthy preliminary hearing.

Piazza subsequently stumbled toward the basement steps, then fell down them.

Over the rest of that evening, fraternity members were allegedly recorded pouring liquid on him, strapping a loaded backpack to him and taking other ineffective or counterproductive steps to deal with his condition.

The video showed Piazza stumbling around in the dark at several points, then disappearing from view.

After someone noticed his shoes were on the first floor the next morning, fraternity members found Piazza, unconscious, in the basement.

They carried him upstairs, but it was another 40 minutes before an ambulance was called.

Contributing: Associated Press

Staff Writer Nick Muscavage: 908-243-6615; ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com