A jury has found the last three Florida A&M University band members guilty in the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.
Aaron Golson, Benjamin McNamee, and Darryl Cearnel have been convicted of felony hazing and felony manslaughter. The three were the last of 15 band members charged in Champion's death to stand trial. Most of the others took plea deals.
"A strong message needs to be sent: here are the consequences of what hazing is and what it does," said Pamela Champion (Robert's mother) after the verdict was read. "There's no pride in it."
The jury started deliberating at 3:45 p.m. Friday after a day of lengthy closing arguments. They returned their verdict shortly after 6:39 p.m.
Each of the three defendants' attorneys took a lengthy amount of time to make their arguments, reminding the jury about witness credibility and lack of physical evidence.
“Anyone that tells you that you have to go through this just to have a bond in this brotherhood or sisterhood – they’re lying to you,” said Champion.
State attorney Jeff Ashton re-emphasized the law in his rebuttal, saying each defendant was part of the conspiracy to break the law in the hazing ritual known among FAMU's Marching 100 as "crossing bus C." For that reason, Ashton said, all three should be found guilty of manslaughter.
"Young people will take a lesson from this and understand that hazing laws are serious -- they have very devastating consequences," said Ashton after verdict.
“As a result of that one night and dependency of this case – their lives have been on hold and to a large extent forever be altered," said Michael Dicembre, Mcnamee’s Attorney.
Sentencing will be at 9 a.m. on June 26.
Jury sees defendants praying in hallway
Before closing arguments started Friday morning, Golson and McNamee were seen kneeling and praying in the hallway outside of the courtroom in the presence of the entire jury.
Ashton brought it to Judge Renee Roche's attention, calling it an absolutely blatant attempt to influence the jury. Ashton also said it was a potential mistrial issue.
"Any reasonable person would conclude that they were praying for a favorable verdict," Ashton said.
Judge Roche said she would not declare a mistrial after questioning each juror about what they saw, and asking if that conduct would influence their ability to deliberate in this case. Roche reminded the jurors that their deliberations must be based only on the evidence presented in court.
Robert Champion died after being brutally beaten by his fellow band members after the 2011 Florida Classic football game in Orlando.
Closing arguments
In the ritual known as "crossing bus C," one band member would be beaten by the others while walking from the front of the bus to the back. Band members testified they believed the ritual was a way to gain respect within the marching band.
"All of them participated in this illegal activity in this case," State Attorney Jeff Ashton said during his opening statements in this trial, saying the three men were not only there the night Champion died, but they also decided to be part of the hazing ritual and were guilty of manslaughter as a result.
Ashton told the jury during Friday's closing arguments that while Champion's death was unintentional, those involved must take responsibility for their actions. Ashton said it wasn't just a single blow that killed Champion, 26; it was a group effort.
"Every kick was his kick. Every punch was his, his and his," Ashton said. "Every blow, every strap, every touch. The prepping, the hot seat, it all falls on everyone."
Defense attorney Michael Dicembre, however, argued there was just not enough evidence to pin Champion's death on anyone.
"Pitch black, can't see more than an arm's length," Dicembre said. "Significant, because this case is relying on eyewitness testimony — no forensic evidence, not a situation where we have DNA to help prove it."
Champion's parents have been in court every day of this final trial, listening to testimony and reliving the night their son was killed.
"He just didn't die. He just didn't collapse. He was murdered," Pam Champion, Robert's mother, said Tuesday outside the Orange County Courthouse.
After closing arguments, it will be up to the jury to decide a verdict for all three defendants.
The last band member tried in this case was Dante Martin, the so-called ringleader in the hazing ritual. At his trial last year, the jury returned a guilty verdict in under two hours. Martin was sentenced in January to more than 6 years behind bars.