Robert Champion

12 charged with manslaughter in Florida A&M band hazing

2013-03-04 17:50:00

Florida prosecutors have beefed up the charges against former Florida A&M University marching band members accused of hazing a drum major to death. Twelve defendants were charged with manslaughter Monday in the case involving the death of Robert...

Appeals court to review ruling in FAMU hazing lawsuit

2013-06-10 14:32:52

FAMU wants an appeals court to reverse a judge's decision allowing a civil case filed in the deadly hazing of drum major Robert Champion to continue. The Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach has agreed to review last month's ruling by...

FAMU drum major sentenced

2013-06-07 11:50:04

ORLANDO, Fla. Former FAMU drum major Rikki Wills apologized to Robert Champion's parents Friday for his role in the fatal hazing of their son and then received five years' probation. Wills, who was Champion's roommate at Florida A&M University, also...

FAMU drum majors get probation in hazing death

2013-06-07 16:36:58

Former FAMU drum majors Rikki Wills and Shawn Turner received probation Friday for their self-described roles as "protectors" of Robert Champion as he suffered through a fatal hazing in November 2011. After the proceedings in Orange County Circuit Court,...

Death of Bethune-Cookman student sparks hazing lawsuit

2013-05-30 17:06:00

The mother of a Bethune-Cookman University student who died in a car accident last year has sued the school and a national fraternity, claiming that hazing was to blame for his death and neither institution did enough to stop it. The lawsuit alleges...

Four men charged with manslaughter after students drown in suspected hazing

2013-06-05 15:59:00

RICHMOND — Four men were charged with involuntary manslaughter after two Virginia State University students drowned in the Appomattox River during an initiation ritual this spring, police said on Wednesday. The men have already been charged with...

Trial postponed for FAMU drum major charged with misdemeanor hazing

2013-05-28 09:04:00

A FAMU hazing trial scheduled to begin today in Orange County was postponed this morning. The criminal case of former FAMU drum major Jarrod Deas has been reset to June 25. He is charged with the misdemeanor hazing of Keon Hollis. The case is...

FAMU hazing defendant Shawn Turner agrees to plea in Champion's death

2013-05-31 17:53:00

FAMU hazing defendant Shawn Turner, who claimed he was drum major Robert Champion's "protector" and not an attacker, agreed today to plead no contest to felony hazing in the deadly ritual. Turner, 27, will likely receive a community-service sentence...

Tuesday Morning Reads: FAMU, tow trucks and election reform

2013-05-28 04:22:00

TALLAHASSEE -- Good morning and happy Tuesday. Here's what we're reading so far. � * Orlando Sentinel reports that jury selection begins today in a FAMU hazing case indirectly related to the death of Robert Champion. � * Sun-Sentinel reports...

Cannon's lobbying firm banks $755k in first full quarter

2013-05-16 11:51:00

TALLAHASSEE -- Former House Speaker Dean Cannon appears to have landed on his feet quite comfortably in his return to the lobbying world. The Winter Park Republican, who along with former House Speaker Larry Cretul launched his lobbying firm Capitol...

FAMU names Sylvester Young as new marching band director

2013-05-07 12:14:00

Sylvester Young, a former music professor at Ohio University, has been selected as FAMU's new marching band director. Officials at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee announced early last month that they were interviewing two people for the job of...

Former FAMU student Rikki Wills pleads no contest in hazing case

2013-05-10 09:22:00

Former FAMU drum major Rikki Wills, who insists that he tried to shield his college roommate Robert Champion from a brutal hazing in Orlando in 2011, pleaded�no contest�today to�felony hazing�resulting in death. Wills, 25,�will not be sentenced until...

During a sentencing hearing Pam Champion, holds a picture of her son Robert as she looks at former FAMU drum major Rikki Wills who received community-service sentence today for his participating in the fatal hazing of Robert Champion.

2013-06-07 00:00:00

Former FAMU drum major Rikki Wills, with his family, in Orange circuit court for a plea-deal hearing, Thursday, May 10, 2013. Wills pleaded no contest to charges accusing him of participating in the fatal hazing of Robert Champion, his roommate and fellow drum major, in 2011.

2013-05-10 00:00:00

Former FAMU drum major Rikki Wills, with his attorney Bill Sharpe (right), in Orange circuit court for the plea-deal hearing, Thursday, May 10, 2013. Wills pleaded no contest to charges accusing him of participating in the fatal hazing of Robert Champion, his roommate and fellow drum major, in 201.

2013-05-10 00:00:00