Tallahassee, Florida - July 10, 2012
There's a new twist today in the beating death of a Florida A&M University drum major. The parents of Robert Champion are expected to file a lawsuit against FAMU on July 10th.
Robert and Pamela Champion announced months ago they planned to sue the school, but Florida law required them to delay action for at least six months because FAMU is a state institution.
Fellow band members pummeled Champion to death on a parked charter bus after the annual football game with Bethune-Cookman last November. It was part of a hazing ritual. Eleven of the band members have been charged with felony hazing in connection with Champion's death.
Last week, FAMU released records showing the school's dean of students recommended the band be suspended long-term due to hazing concerns three days before Champion's death. FAMU's former police chief also says he urged top administrators at a meeting on the same day as the dean's remarks to keep the band off the field. FAMU President Doctor James Ammons says he didn't learn about those recommendations until after Champion's death.
Champion's parents haved already filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the bus company and the driver of the bus where their son was beaten.
That suit was filed in February.
A family spokesman says the couple is traveling from Georgia to Orlando today to file a new suit against FAMU.
Replies
As they should! This is embarrassing and should serve as a SERIOUS wake up call for all bandsmen, social orgs, sports teams, cheer squads, neighborhood cliques, gangs, etc etc everywhere!
Unfortunately for the Champion family, there is no amount of money that will bring their son back but I hope they send a SERIOUS message with this lawsuit and cases that are to follow!!
Administration is about to catch pure hell
and I seen a commercial when Mark Ingram won the heisman trophy...the had him standing in front of the lawn posing like the trophy while all the others watched tv and one of them passed by him and said you doing a good job rookie...lmfaooo I thought it was kinda funny but that right there lets you kno hazing exist everywhere