New Documents Describe Brutal Hazing That Killed FAMU Drum Major

[cali]

by Eyder Peralta

Robert Champion agreed to go into Bus C because he was vying for the top job at Florida A&M University's Marching 100 band and thought it would impress his band mates.

But that hazing ritual — a relentless, brutal beating — would cost him his life. That's the picture painted by a cache of new documents released today in Florida.

The New York Times reports:

"Hours after performing at the Florida Classic, a football game in Orlando, Mr. Champion, 26, a drum major, entered the dark bus and was pummeled with hands, drumsticks and straps on Nov. 19. Band members crammed into the bus and struck and kicked Mr. Champion as he slowly tried to walk past to touch the back of the bus. Once he did that, the ritual dubbed "crossing Bus C" would be complete.

"Mr. Champion made it to the back and then collapsed. He died shortly after of "hemorrhagic shock caused by blunt-force trauma," according to the medical examiner's report."

<snip>

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/05/23/153530174/new-documents-describe-brutal-hazing-that-killed-famu-drum-major

I hope each and every one of the vile little fucks that did this get convicted and go to prison for a long fucking time. And Dr. Ammons, the University President should be fired.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/page/FAMU-hazing/culture-hazing-florida-university-band-members-continued-years

[Butterbean]

1. dumb question....

Why are the eleven who are charged only charged with felony hazing and not manslaughter at the very least? The man DIED as a direct result of their assault. I don't understand.

[msongs]

2. because proof of each participant's exact damage would be required?

and how that person's inflictions actually caused death not just annoying stings?

[Butterbean]

6. After posting my question, I thought about that too. No proof of who delivered the death blow.

[cali]

3. not at all a dumb question but the answer is infuriating

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g_QpE08HMtumfep7w5aYpWsNJ0lA?docId=186f86da7a7c4c8ab339a6a0c204a7a7

[Butterbean]

5. Infuriating is right. Thank you for the link. SMDH.

[Journeyman]

4. I'll never understand this: "Let us show you how much we like you by beating you senseless". . .

I guess if you're getting "jumped-in" to the Hells Angels or some other outlaw group, showing you can take a beating might have some validity. But a Marching Band? What a pathetic passel of wannabes.