FAMU Hazing Trial Postponed
Monday, June 16, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

June 16, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - The trial of five former FAMU marching band members charged with manslaughter and hazing has been postponed.

Photo: Drum Major For Change! Robert D. Champion

A circuit judge agreed to delay the trial of the former FAMU marching band members until late September.

Citing difficulties in conducting depositions with several witnesses in the case, defense lawyers for three of the five co-defendants asked to delay the trial, which was originally scheduled for June 24.

Five members of the original 15 defendants will stand trial in September, while many of the others have accepted plea deals in connection to drum major Robert Champion’s death.

The 26-year-old died after what prosecutors say was a hazing ritual inside a FAMU band bus after the 2011 Florida Classic football game in Orlando.