The last defendant in the Florida A&M University hazing death of a drum major has received a four-year prison sentence. Caleb Jackson pled no contest to manslaughter for his role in the death of Robert Champion.
Judge Marc Lubet has sentenced Jackson to four years in prison, with credit for time served. Jackson faced up to 10 years, but according to the Associated Press, Lubet gave less time because he says evidence shows Robert Champion willingly participated in his own hazing.
Most of the other defendants in the case took plea deals and were sentenced to community service and probation. The alleged ringleader, Dante Martin, received a 6 1/2 year sentence in January.
Robert Champion died in November of 2011 after being beaten in a hazing ritual aboard a bus in Orlando. The case resulted in the resignation of FAMU’s longtime band director and university president. FAMU was also placed on accreditation probation which has been lifted. The school’s band has also been reinstated. But the university is still embroiled in a civil lawsuit with Champion’s family.
