Felony charges in FAMU death case

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Florida A&M marching band member Dante Martin faces felony hazing charges in connection to the death of former FAMU drum major Robert Champion.

Authorities say Champion died last November after Marching 100 members beat him during a hazing ritual aboard one of the band's charter buses.

Martin is listed as one of 12 felony defendants. A 20-page document said the defendants "unlawfully and intentionally or recklessly (committed) an act of hazing ... and the hazing resulted in the death of Robert Champion," the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Martin, who also faces two counts of misdemeanor hazing, was the "bus president" on Bus C. On that bus, alleged hazing rituals took place that resulted in the death of Champion and injuries to others.

The Marching 100 has been suspended and will not play during the upcoming academic year. FAMU already has announced strict new requirements for members when the band returns.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe