Felony charges in Florida A&M case

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OTL: FAMU Hazing: Tradition And Tragedy

In a feature that originally aired in March 2012, "Outside The Lines" examines how the death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion has shed light on a culture of hazing within the Marching 100 band.

OTL: FAMU Hazing: Tradition And Tragedy

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A prosecutor says most of the 13 people charged in the death of Florida A&M university drum major will face a felony hazing charge.

The prosecutor announced the charges at a news conference Wednesday. State Attorney Lawson Lamar says 11 of the 13 people charged will face the felony charge. The others will face a misdemeanor charge.

Lamar says a conviction for felony hazing could bring up to nearly six years in prison.

The charges come more than five months after 26-year-old Robert Champion died aboard a chartered bus parked outside an Orlando hotel.

Detectives say Champion was hazed by band members following a performance. Authorities say Champion had bruises to his chest, arms, shoulder and back. His internal bleeding caused him to go into shock, which killed him.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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