Students react to hazing death sentencing

Bryan Jones

By Tenisha Dixon, News 20 at Five

Due to lack of evidence, Judge Marc Lubet sentenced former Florida A&M University Marching 100 band member Bryan Jones to two years probation. He was the first defendant to be sentenced in the hazing death of late drum major Robert Champion.

According to the Associated Press, Jones was also given six months of community control and 200 hours of community service. FAMU students have mixed reactions about his sentence.

“I say justice was served,” said  Driko Ducasse. “And only the judges can really know if he deserves what he’s getting. So I wouldn’t know what to tell you, because justice is served and he did get penalized for his involvement in the death of Robert Champion.”

Jamal Wallace, another FAMU student, said, “Looking at their parents and how they would feel, I can’t wish more time on a fellow black man. You can’t waste time on people even if they hurt someone you love.”

Jones’s involvement in the case was proven not physical as there was no provided evidence that he kicked or punched Champion. It was displayed in court that he had no previous criminal background.

Champion died last November after being beaten by fellow band members during a hazing ritual. Jones plead no contest to a hazing charge stemming from Champion’s death.