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Former FAMU Band Member Gets 4 Years in Hazing Death

Famu Hazing Trial
Posted at 6:16 PM, Sep 04, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-04 16:28:00-04

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A former Florida A&M University band member who has been awaiting punishment for more than two years for his role in a drum major's hazing death has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Judge Marc Lubet announced the sentence Friday for 26-year-old Caleb Jackson. He'll get credit for more than two years he's already served.

Jackson pleaded no contest to manslaughter and hazing in April 2013 for his part in the 2011 death of Robert Champion, who was from Decatur, Georgia. Jackson faced 35 years in prison.

Another judge previously gave Jackson four years in prison after his arrest in Champion's case for violating probation in an unrelated battery case.

Fifteen former band members were charged in Champion's death. Most were sentenced to community service and probation.

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