(AP) — The prosecutor in the case of three former band members charged with manslaughter in the hazing death of a Florida A&M University drum major told jurors Tuesday that all of those involved — even the victim — participated in a brutal act they knew was illegal. State attorney Jeff Ashton said during his opening statement that evidence would prove that Robert Champion, 26, willingly submitted to the tradition-filled beating ritual known as "Crossing Bus C" that caused his death in November 2011. Defense attorneys said there was no conspiracy at all and that the prosecution couldn't prove any of three was directly responsible for killing Champion. The final three former band members charged with manslaughter and felony hazing in the November 2011 incident — 24-year-old Benjamin McNamee, 22-year-old Aaron Golson and 28-year-old Darryl Cearnel —are being tried together. Champion's beating death aboard a band bus parked outside a hotel after a football game exposed a culture of hazing within the school's famed band. Champion, of Decatur, Georgia, went through what Ashton described as a three-step process that culminated with him running a gauntlet and being punched, kicked and struck with band instruments. Later Tuesday the two former band members who crossed Bus C before Champion — Lissette Sanchez and fellow drum major Keon Hollis —described the physically taxing ordeal it entailed, which ended with Hollis weak an vomiting afterward.
Prosecutor: All Involved In Famu Hazing Case Were Willing
By KYLE HIGHTOWER, Associated Press, San Antonio Express-News: World
Tue, 04/21/2015 - 3:46pm
Topics: crossing bus c ap the florida a&m university state jeff ashton robert defense benjamin mcnamee aaron golson darryl cearnel decatur georgia later tuesday lissette sanchez keon hollis the ashton champion november hollis prosecutor involved hazing case band members death charged manslaughter prove beating major drum
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05/4/2024 - 12:16 pm | View Link - Drum major’s hazing left heartbroken mother wondering what really happened: 'He was beaten to death'
Robert Champion, a Florida A&M drum major, was killed in November 2011. He was 26. His case is featured in Investigation Discovery’s “Murder Under the Friday Night Lights." ...
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