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Last Defendant In FAMU Hazing Case Gets Prison Sentence

Caleb Jackson was one of 15 people arrested for the Nov. 2011 hazing death of FAMU Drum Major, Robert Champion.
Leon County Jail
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Leon County Sheriff's Office
Caleb Jackson faces 3rd degree felony charges in the hazing death of band drum major Robert Champion

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.

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. 

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