BELLEFONTE — In an emotional statement to a Centre County judge Monday morning, Jim Piazza said he believes his son, Timothy, would still be alive today had it not been for Jonah Neuman, who was sentenced minutes later for his role in the sprawling Beta Theta Pi fraternity hazing death case.

"I cannot help but think that had it not been for [Neuman], Tim would still be alive today," Jim said.

Neuman, along with former brother Nicholas Kubera, will face house arrest, the decision coming less than two weeks after three brothers received jail time for Piazza's February 2017 death.

Both of Piazza's parents were in the Centre County Courthouse Annex Monday, urging Judge Brian Marshall to give the brothers strong sentencings.

"Without meaningful prosecution and sentencings, behaviors will not change, and students will continue to die," Jim Piazza said.

Evelyn Piazza called the brothers' conduct during bid-acceptance night "abhorring" and said it cost her son his life.

"They chose cruelty over being a true brother," she said. "They brought this on themselves and destroyed our world."

Neuman, 21, was sentenced to nine months house arrest, 60 days in a detention program, two years of probation, $1,750 in fines and 100 hours of community service. Kubera, 21, was sentenced to 60 days house arrest, nine months of supervision, 18 months probation, $1,750 in fines and 100 hours of community service.

In January, both brothers pleaded guilty to hazing and conspiracy to commit hazing nearly two years after Piazza, a pledge at the now-banned Beta Theta Pi fraternity, suffered a fractured skull and lacerated spleen. Piazza had consumed at least 18 drinks in 82 minutes before falling down the fraternity house's basement stairs. Piazza's injuries were likely recoverable if he had received immediate medical attention.

Recent sentencings seem to indicate the court will deal harsher punishments — including house arrest and jail time — to former brothers who plead guilty to hazing, making a sharp contrast to prior rulings that led to only probation or community service.

Both Neuman and Kubera directly interacted with Piazza during the fatal bid-acceptance night.

After Piazza fell headfirst down the basement stairs, Neuman — who was a sophomore at the time — helped carry the pledge back upstairs. Neuman then retrieved a backpack and placed it on Piazza, who was unconscious. Known as "backpacking," this practice is intended to prevent unconscious individuals from rolling on their back and swallowing their vomit. Neuman also sat on Piazza's feet while he was unconscious to prevent him from moving.

When former brother Kordel Davis realized Piazza was in serious condition and needed to be taken to the hospital, he began urging fellows brothers to call for help. In response, Neuman shoved Davis against a wall and told him the situation was under control.

Neuman also allegedly handed pledges beers to drink during the "gauntlet" drinking obstacle course.

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Kubera, who was a freshman at the time, handed pledges beers to shotgun during the "gauntlet" drinking obstacle course. The prosecution described Kubera's actions as "more aggressive" than any of the other brothers at the station.

He also handed Piazza beer to chug on two other separate occasions. Prior to Piazza's fall, Kubera helped a visibly intoxicated Piazza walk through the fraternity house.

Before Kubera's sentencing, both Kubera and his mother spoke, addressing the judge and the Piazzas.

Kubera said he "sincerely regrets any involvement" in Piazza's death. He said he expresses remorse and accepts responsibility for what transpired during bid-acceptance night.

Both brothers previously faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, aggravated assault and simple assault — all of which were dropped during preliminary hearings.

On April 2, former brothers Joshua Kurczewski, Luke Visser and Michael Bonatucci were sentenced to jail for their roles in Piazza's death. They also received probation, fines and community service. A fourth brother, Joseph Sala, was sentenced to house arrest, supervision, probation, fines and community service.

Former fraternity president Brendan Young and pledge master Daniel Casey, who have not yet entered guilty pleas, face charges of recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence, hazing and furnishing.

Their cases are currently being appealed and reviewed by the Superior Court.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article inaccurately stated Nicholas Kubera was sentenced to 30 days in an addiction treatment center. In fact, Kubera had already completed 30 days of in-patient treatment, which counts toward his house arrest sentencing. The Daily Collegian apologizes for this error.

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