Photography

Beta Theta Pi Fraternity Preliminary Hearing by Justin Merriman

A member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity arrives for the preliminary hearing at the Centre County courthouse on Monday Morning, June 12, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa. Today's hearing will determine whether the 18 brothers, as well as their fraternity, should stand trial for the death of Timothy Piazza.

Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of Timothy Piazza, the 19-year-old pledge who died following a Feb. 2 event at the Beta Theta Pi frat house at Penn State University, leave the Centre County courthouse following a preliminary hearing on Monday Morning, June 12, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa.

Luke Visser, a member of the Beta Theta Pi frat house at Penn State University, leaves the Centre County courthouse following a preliminary hearing on Monday Morning, June 12, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa. Visser faces 56 counts: involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, unlawful acts relative to liquor, and consumption of alcohol by a minor.

Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of Timothy Piazza, the 19-year-old pledge who died following a Feb. 2 event at the Beta Theta Pi frat house at Penn State University, wait to enter the Centre County courthouse prior to a preliminary hearing on Monday, July 10, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa.

Piazza family attorney Tom Kline speaks with members of the media outside of the Centre County courthouse at the conclusion of the fraternity members' preliminary hearing on Monday, July 10, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa.

Brendan Young, president of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, arrives back at the Centre County courthouse for the continuation of the preliminary hearing in the death of Timothy Piazza, 19, who died following a Feb. 2 pledge event at the frat house at Penn State University, on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa. 

Young faces 200 counts including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, tampering with evidence, recklessly endangering another person, hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, and unlawful acts relative to liquor.

As the preliminary hearing for the death of Tim Piazza continues, fog sits over Bellefonte, Pa., on Friday, Aug., 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa.

Leonard Ambrose, the attorney for Joe Sala, a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, arrives at the Centre County courthouse for a continuation of the fraternity members' preliminary hearing on Aug. 30, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa. Sala faces 55 counts including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, unlawful acts relative to liquor.

Members of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity walk to the Centre County courthouse after a break in the 7th day of the fraternity members' preliminary hearing on Aug. 31, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa.

Luke Visser, a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, arrives at the Centre County courthouse for verdict in the fraternity members' preliminary hearing on Sept. 1, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa. Visser faces 56 counts including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, unlawful acts relative to liquor, and consumption of alcohol by a minor.

Brendan Young, president of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, stands in front of the Centre County courthouse after the verdict in the fraternity members' preliminary hearing on Sept. 1, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa after a judge threw out the most serious charges for the fraternity members.

Tom Kline, the attorney for Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of Timothy Piazza, 19, who died following a Feb. 2 pledge event at the Beta Theta Pi frat house at Penn State University, speaks with media in front of the Centre County courthouse after the verdict in the fraternity members' preliminary hearing on Sept. 1, 2017 in Bellefonte, Pa.

On Feb. 4, Tim Piazza, a sophomore pledge at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Penn State University died after a night of heaving drinking and hazing by fraternity members. After falling down a flight of stairs and suffering sustained multiple traumatic injuries from the fall, it would be 12 hours until his fraternity brothers would call for help. In pretrial hearings that lasted throughout the summer, it ended with the most serious charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault dropped; however, 14 of the Beta brothers will still face a total of 328 criminal charges.

iPhone Photography by Justin Merriman

A collection of recent iPhone images. 

Westboro Baptist Church Protest by Justin Merriman

A person is tackled by Pittsburgh Police after he rushed a member of the Westboro Baptist Church and ripped a sign out of their hands as they demonstrated near Carnegie Mellon University on Thursday in Pittsburgh.  

Christopher Columbus Statue by Justin Merriman

The Christopher Columbus statue in Pittsburgh stands splattered with paint after being defaced on Columbus Day, Monday, October 9, 2017. 

Many have called for the renaming of the holiday to Indigenous Peoples' Day as a way to recognize the oppression of Native Americans. More than 50 cities and states across the US have renamed Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao by Justin Merriman

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao poses for a portrait at the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao speaks with people at the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

A computer screen shows software that allows an autonomous vehicle to travel a road course at University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao speaks at the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao visits the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Read more about the secretary's visit at the Washington Examiner. 

Trump Signs by Justin Merriman

Leon Moyer, 60, owner of JL Signs stands in front of his business on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2017 in Ruffs Dale, Pa. Moyer has continued to make and sale pro-Trump signs and bumper stickers long after the election has passed.  Read more about Moyer in the New York Post.

Freshmen Class by Justin Merriman

The freshman class of Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences visit the Heinz History Center for their orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Carnegie Mellon University freshmen participate in 'House Wars,' an orientation activity, as they begin a new semester on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 on campus in Oakland, Pa. 

Carnegie Mellon University freshmen participate in 'House Wars,' an orientation activity, as they begin a new semester on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 on campus in Oakland, Pa. 

The freshman class of Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences visit the Heinz History Center for their orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Rodeo Cowboys by Justin Merriman

 A cowboy stands in the back pens behind the chutes as the sun sets at the Fort Armstrong Professional Rodeo on Saturday, July 8, 2017 in Ford City, Pa. 

 A cowboy prepares for his ride in the back pens behind the chutes as the sun sets at the Fort Armstrong Professional Rodeo on Saturday, July 8, 2017 in Ford City, Pa. 

 A cowboy rides a horse in the saddle bronc riding competition at the Fort Armstrong Professional Rodeo on Saturday, July 8, 2017 in Ford City, Pa. 

Energy Secretary Rick Perry by Justin Merriman

United States Secretary of Energy Rick Perry is photographed on Friday, July 7, 2017 at the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Eid al-Fitr by Justin Merriman

Eheze Hassani, 8, of Sharpsburg, Pa., sits in a chair as she waits for the prayer to begin during an Eid al-Fitr celebration, which marks the end of Ramadan, on June 25, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

Young boys wait for the beginning of a prayer during an Eid al-Fitr celebration, which marks the end of Ramadan, on June 25, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

Aya Attal, 17, of Crafton, Pa., hugs a friend at an Eid al-Fitr celebration, marking the end of Ramadan, on June 25, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

(left to right) Omar Sultan, 21, Majeed Hawsawi, 27, and Sultan Alsaykhan, 22, take a selfie together as they join hundreds of Pittsburgh muslims to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, on June 25, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

Women stand in prayer during an Eid al-Fitr celebration, marking the end of Ramadan, on June 25, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, on June 25, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa. More images at Getty Images

A Coal Mine Opens by Justin Merriman

A coal miner holds a lump of metallurgical coal from the Middle Kittanning coal seam on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Coal Miner Russ Lambert, 61, of Berlin, Pa., who has been mining for over 37 years, poses for a portrait on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. Lambert, a shift foreman, who previously has been mining in Corsa's Quecreek Mine will be working in Corsa's new mine, the Acosta Deep Mine. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Robert Bottegal, head engineer of the Acosta Deep Mine for Corsa Coal, stands near the future drift entrance off the high wall of the new mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. The new mine, which is expected to open early June, will create 70 new jobs and should produce 400,000 tons of metallurgical coal a year. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Robert Bottegal points to a map showing the Acosta Deep Mine in Friedens, Somerset County, Pa., on March 22, 2017. Justin Merriman | for the Financial Times

A coal miner works at Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania.  Justin Merriman/Getty Images

Workers stand in the pit as construction continues on Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Coal Miner Russ Lambert, 61, of Berlin, Pa., who has been mining for over 37 years, yells to another miner as they work on the construction of Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens,Somerset, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Coal Miner Joe Kostyk, 28, of Sidman, Pa., works on the construction of the drift entrance of Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa.  Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

A rig drills holes for explosive charges at the Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine in Friedens, Somerset County, Pa., on March 22, 2017.  Justin Merriman for the Financial Times

Coal miners works on the future drift entrance of Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa.  Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Robert Bottegal stands on a platform above the pit of the new Acosta Deep Mine on Monday, June 5, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset County, Pa. The platform was constructed for the mine's grand opening ceremony that will be held on Thursday.  Justin Merriman for The Washington Post

A coal truck drives past a Trump sign on May 19, 2017 on Million Dollar Highway in Jenner Township, Pa.  Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

George Critchfield, 59, owner of Critchfield Lumber, stands at his mill on May 19, 2017 in Jenner Township, Pa. The new Corsa Coal Corporation mine has purchased lumber from Critchfield's lumber mill, which borders the new mine site. He is excited about the mine's opening and feels the mine has saved his business. "It's a trickle down effect," he says. "That's what you need, good paying jobs instead of McDonalds and Walmart." Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

A sign for the Coal Miner's Cafe sits along U.S. Route 30 on May 18, 2017 in Jennerstown, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Betty Rhoads, who owns the Coal Miner's Cafe with her husband, John, sits at one of the restaurant's tables on May 18, 2017 in Jennerstown, Pa. "I've seen the good day's of coal," says Rhoads; her father owned several pick and shovel coal mines. "I can remember when there was mines all over these hills," she says. While she's not optimistic about the coal mining industry, Rhoads is happy about the opening of the Acosta Deep Mine. "I want every mine that can reopen to reopen," she says. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

George Barron, 78, stands along Main Street on May 18, 2017 in Acosta, Pa. Barron, having lived in Acosta since 1962, has seen the coal industry come and go. The Somerset Coal Company opened the Acosta mines in 1905 and established the town two years later. Corsa Coal has opened the Acosta Deep Mine just up the road from Acosta. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Edward Popernack, 84, who worked in coal mines for over 40 years, poses for a portrait at the Coal Miner's Cafe on Monday, June 5, 2017 in Jennerstown, Pa. Popernack's son, Mark, was one of the coal miners rescued from Quecreek Mine after being trapped for 77 hours in July 2002. Justin Merriman for The Washington Post

George Barron, 78, right, watches as Barry Custer, 64, cleans his lawn tractor with his wife, Robbie, 62, and granddaughter Emma Grigg, 7, at his home on May 18, 2017 in Acosta, Pa. "If they put coal miners back to work that be great," Custer, a coal miner with AK Coal Resources, says speaking of the opening of Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine. "This town was built on coal," he continues, having worked as a coal miner since he was 18. Custer's wife, Robbie's cousin Mark Popernack was one of the 9 miners rescued from the Quecreek Mine in 2002. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

A person wears a coal pin at the grand opening of Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania.  Justin Merriman/Getty Images

President Donald Trump delivers a recorded message at the grand opening of Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania. Justin Merriman/Getty Images

The entrance to the Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania. Justin Merriman/Getty Images

For the last several months, I've been covering Corsa Coal's new coal mine, the Acosta Deep Mine, in Friedens, Somerset County, Pennsylvania as well as the surrounding communities. The mine, which began production in June, created 70 news jobs and is expected to produce over 400,000 tons of metallurgical coal a year.  You can read about the mine in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Financial Times, and view more images at Getty Images

EPA's Scott Pruitt Visits Coal Mine by Justin Merriman

SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Donnie Claycomb, 27, of Limestone, West Virginia., who has been mining for 6 years, stands in front of an American flag prior to an event with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Miner's tags hang on a board at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt visited the mine on Thursday and spoke with miners. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miner Terry Ramer, 32, of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania., stands near the portal to the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt visited the mine and spoke with miners on Thursday. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miner Matt Wolfe, 32, of Blacksville, West Virginia, who has been mining for 10 years, waits for the arrival of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt who visited the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt holds up a miner's helmet that he was given after speaking with coal miners at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miners wait for the start of an event with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt who visited the mine and spoke with miners at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miner Jaden Fredrickson, 26, of Cheat Lake, West Virginia, waits for the arrival of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt who visited the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complexes in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

EPA Administer Scott Pruitt visited CNX Coal Resources' Harvey Mine, part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States, and spoke with miners on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pa. You can view the images at Getty Images