ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Eight defendants who remain charged in the hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major won't tell a judge until later this month whether they will accept plea offers or go to trial.
They were expected to update a judge Friday on the statuses of plea talks with prosecutors. That hearing has been rescheduled for Oct. 25. Judge Marc Lubet said in August that Friday would be a "drop dead date" to accept those deals, some of which include jail time.
Fifteen former band members were charged with manslaughter and hazing in Robert Champion's November 2011 death. Six have accepted plea deals that included community service and probation for what prosecutors said were minor roles. A seventh is awaiting sentencing.
Champion died after he collapsed following a hazing ritual.
