ORLANDO, Florida -- Lawyers for the family of Robert Champion want $8 million from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University to settle the wrongful-death lawsuit in the fatal hazing of the former drum major..
University officials and FAMU's board of trustees were not immediately available to comment on the proposed settlement, obtained by the Orlando Sentinel through a public-records request Wednesday, But any payment greater than $300,000 would have to be approved by the Florida Legislature.
The university, Florida's only publicly funded, historically black college, has 30 days to accept or reject the offer.
Champion, 26, was beaten to death Nov. 19, 2011, by fellow members of the Marching 100 during a hazing ritual on a bus parked at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando after the pre-eminent ensemble performed at the Citrus Bowl as part of the Florida Classic weekend with Bethune-Cookman University.
The settlement offer, if accepted, would cover all damage claims arising from the drum major's death.
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Note: The Chestnut Firm, also represented the family of former FAMU student-athlete Jonathan Ferrell (age 24) who was gunned down by 10 of 12 shots from Charlotte-Mecklenburg County (N.C.) police officer Randall Kerrick. The civil settlement of $2.25 million was the city's largest payout in 10 years. Kerrick's criminal trial is currently underway.
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