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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

The Latest: Judge: 12 Penn State frat brothers go on trial

From right, Evelyn Piazza, attorney Tom Kline and  Jim Piazza and walk toward the courthouse before a preliminary hearing resumes for members of a fraternity facing criminal charges over the death of Timothy Piazza, at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa.  Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore, suffered severe head and abdominal injuries last February, after consuming a dangerous amount of alcohol and fell repeatedly.  Help wasn't summoned until the next morning, and he later died at a hospital.  (Phoebe Sheehan/Centre Daily Times via AP)
From right, Evelyn Piazza, attorney Tom Kline and Jim Piazza and walk toward the courthouse before a preliminary hearing resumes for members of a fraternity facing criminal charges over the death of Timothy Piazza, at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa. Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore, suffered severe head and abdominal injuries last February, after consuming a dangerous amount of alcohol and fell repeatedly. Help wasn't summoned until the next morning, and he later died at a hospital. (Phoebe Sheehan/Centre Daily Times via AP)

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) – The Latest on a preliminary hearing for Penn State fraternity members charged after a pledge died (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

A judge has ordered 12 members of a Penn State fraternity to stand trial in a pledge’s death but has thrown out the most serious charges, including involuntary manslaughter and felony counts of aggravated assault.

District Justice Allen Sinclair dismissed charges against four frat brothers.

He issued the ruling Friday after a seven-day preliminary hearing. Two other students previously agreed to have their cases go to trial.