ORLANDO, Fla. —The first of a dozen defendants to be sentenced in last year’s hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major avoided jail time when he received his punishment Monday, but he will spend more than two years under close supervision.
Brian Jones, 23, was given six months of community control, which strictly limits his freedom with measures including an ankle monitor and frequent check-ins with probation officials. After that, Jones will serve another two years of probation. He’s also required to perform 200 hours of community service.
Judge Marc Lubet said Jones’ role in the hazing death of Robert Champion was relatively minimal and that Jones did not beat or hit Champion. Champion died last November after being beaten by fellow band members during a hazing ritual aboard a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel after a football game.
“This young man’s part in this horrible act … as compared with many others from what I’ve seen is minimal,” Lubet said. “It was an isolated incident in this man’s life for which he’s shown remorse.”
Defense attorney Alisia Adamson noted that only two of the 90 witnesses even said he was on the bus.
Eleven other band members are awaiting trial on felony hazing charges, while another band member faces a misdemeanor hazing count.
Brian Jones tearfully apologized to the Champion family in court.
“No family should have to go through what you’ve gone through,” he said.
After the sentencing, Pam Champion said she gave Jones credit for “taking responsibility” in the case.
