WTVY - Crimes - Headlines

Posted: Wed 9:13 PM, May 23, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

Defendant: Robert Champion Wanted to be Hazed

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A defendant says a Florida A&M drum major who died after being hazed got on a bus where band members were ritually beaten because it was a sign of respect to have survived such an encounter.

Jonathan Boyce says in a deposition released Wednesday that the 26-year-old Robert Champion had asked all season to go through the hazing ritual. Champions' parents have said their son was a vocal opponent of the routine hazing in the band.

Prosecutors are releasing more than 1,500-pages of evidence against the 13 people charged in last year's hazing death of Champion.

FAMU's famed Marching 100 band was suspended shortly after the incident, and officials announced it will remain sidelined at least through the 2012-2013 school year.

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