Monday, July 1, 2013

Former FAMU head drum major gets probation in deadly hazing

ORLANDO, Florida  --  The former head drum major of FAMU's marching band has been sentenced to probation in the hazing death of Robert Champion.

Jonathan Boyce, 26, the student leader of the Florida A&M University band when Champion died, pleaded no contest Friday to felony hazing as part of an agreement with prosecutors who dropped a companion charge of manslaughter in the fatal hazing.

Another ex-band-member, Jessie Baskin, 22, is expected to change his not-guilty plea today.

Boyce, who was hazed on the bus years ago, was ordered to serve a five-year term of probation by Circuit Judge Marc Lubet.

The judge agreed to withhold adjudication, which spares the drum major a criminal conviction. Boyce was characterized by prosecutors as a "helper" in the ritual.

CONTINUE READING 

No comments: