Penn State student Justin Wagner, 20, was bound over for trial Wednesday for allegedly assaulting an underage student who was allegedly drinking at a fraternity prior to the incident.
The incident was the first time the Highlands Neighborhood Watch Program interns aided police in a criminal case, said Cpl. Mark Argiro of the State College Police Department after the incident. Two interns witnessed the assault and one gave a description to police that led to Wagner's arrest.
Wagner faces charges of simple assault, harassment and a summary alcohol violation. A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 27. Jury selection is scheduled for June 14.
Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said his office withdrew charges against Brandon Vanassa, also a student, who was facing simple assault and harassment charges in connection with the incident. Sloane said the evidence against Vanassa was not strong enough to proceed with a hearing.
Delta Sigma fraternity, 508 Locust Lane, is also charged with one count of furnishing alcohol to minors in connection with the incident. The fraternity is scheduled for a pretrial conference on May 27 and plans to plead not guilty to this charge and another furnishing count connected to a separate incident.
According to court documents, State College police responded to a reported assault at about 1:30 a.m. Feb. 6 on the 400 block of Locust Lane.
An intern met the responding officer at the scene and said they observed two men on top of the victim, Nick Stathes, who was being punched repeatedly. The intern then said the two men left the scene on foot.
The intern's description of one of the suspects led police to apprehend Wagner nearby.
Mount Nittany Medical Center personnel treated the victim the following day for a broken nose and other facial injuries.
Both Stathes and a friend who witnessed the assault, Greg Springrose, said the two had just left Delta Sigma when they were verbally harassed by two men before Stathes was tackled to the ground, according to the documents.
Collegian staff writer Shaun Parcels contributed to this report.
