The Latest: Parents urge Penn State frat death ruling appeal

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Latest on a judge’s ruling in a Penn State fraternity hazing death case (all times local):

2:20 p.m.

The parents of a Penn State fraternity pledge who died after a night of heavy drinking at the frat house say they hope prosecutors will appeal a judge’s decision to throw out the most serious charges some faced.

Attorney Tom Kline says Jim and Evelyn Piazza are dismayed a judge threw out reckless endangerment and evidence tampering counts Monday against members of Beta Theta Pi.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro says his office is reviewing the decision.

Shapiro says he’s pleased 11 more defendants are headed to county court for trial, making it 25 defendants facing charges in last year’s death of Tim Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey.

The judge upheld hazing and alcohol-related charges against 11 defendants, but tossed all charges against a fraternity member accused of deleting security video.

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12:10 p.m.

A Pennsylvania judge says there is enough evidence to send hazing and alcohol-related criminal charges to county court for trial against 11 more members of a Penn State fraternity over the death of a pledge last year.

Judge Steven Lachman on Monday also dismissed allegations that a member of Beta Theta Pi had erased basement security video to thwart investigators.

He’s dismissing all reckless endangerment counts the defendants had faced and pared down other counts.

Defendants face charges as a result of the February 2017 death of 19-year-old Tim Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey.

Officials say Piazza died of severe head and abdominal injuries after a night of drinking that followed a pledge bid acceptance ceremony.

Fourteen other members of the now-shuttered fraternity are also awaiting trial.