The former roommate of FAMU drum major Robert Champion was sentenced in the Orange County Courthouse Friday, but not before Champion’s mother spoke.
A judge sentenced Rikki Wills to one year of community control and five years of probation in connection with hazing charges in Champion's death two years ago.
Wills will not spend any time in prison after pleading no contest to hazing charges.
Champion's mother, Pam, spoke for about 25 minutes before the sentencing.
In her statement, she talked about her late son and how painful it was that Wills and other band members didn't express their condolences to her after his death.
Portion of Pam Champion's statement:
“Is hazing really this type of thing you say ‘don’t do that anymore?’ There’s a strong message that needs to be said and there are people that can make that happen. Strong message. But right now I don’t see that being done. I really don’t. I’m sorry; I have to speak against that because the only thing that we’re doing is sitting around waiting until it happens again. And if it happens again, of course you do the same thing the same way each time and get the same results.
There’s a strong message that needs to be sent when you’re dealing with people the feel they can beat, kick, kill, abuse and influence people to do things that is wrong and tell them that, you know, they made a bad decision. They are really good people, so, and these are things I was told. So let me do this and you go on your merry way and don’t do it anymore. We have an opportunity to make a change.
That’s what my foundation is all about, making a change in the message that has been sent. Too many people are losing their lives, ruthlessly. And we sit by and do nothing. Just think it could be your child, your grandchild, your niece. It could be any one of those that’s involved in it. When it’s in your house, it’s different.
Those are the things that I’d like to say and hopefully, I’ve said something that will make a difference with this thing that we call hazing. Because we know it’s just an excuse for any group of people to get together if they have something against someone to beat them to death and say ‘oh, we’ll say we were hazing’ and when we say we were hazing someone, what happens? Nothing.
I do appreciate the fact that you actually looked at me the whole time. I didn’t get that type of respect before. And I thank you for that. And I don’t think you’re an evil person, I really don’t. I’m just asking that you have in your conscience to do and say the right thing, to tell the truth, the real truth of who Robert was. You may not of know him like a best friend that you think because Robert don’t have best friends everybody was his friend.”
According to Wills’ lawyer, part of his community control punishment means he has to stay on home confinement, unless he is going to work.
During a status hearing, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a manslaughter charge against the 25-year-old in exchange for his plea.
He could potentially have to testify against his former bandmates, if they go to trial.
Prosecutors said Wills was present when Champion was beaten by other band members on a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel after the November 2011 Florida Classic game.
He later died from his injuries.
His death led to massive changes at FAMU, including the suspension of the Marching 100, in an effort to end a culture of hazing.
Also Friday, another judge sentenced Shawn Turner to 18 months of community control, which is a form of house arrest.
Turner also received three years of supervised probation.
He must also complete a 4-hour hazing class.
The judge ruled that Turner, who wants to move to North Carolina, can as long as the state accepts his community control sentence.
He apologized to the Champion family and said they want to work to change the hazing culture and reduce bullying.
Turner said he and Champion went to high school together and were friends for years.