Caleb Jackson, 26, was sentenced to four years in prison: He could have received 15 years.
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Judge Marc Lubet said that he chose not to give Jackson a more lengthy prison term because he said evidence showed that Champion was a willing participant in the incident.
Champion’s parents, Robert Sr. and Pam Champion, both testified Friday and expressed disappointment with the outcome of the prosecutions over the past four years, which they said didn’t collectively send a clear message to end hazing.
“Yes, Mr. Jackson, you killed my son,” she said looking at Jackson. “You will never get out from under the fact that you killed my son.”
Fifteen former band members were charged in Champion’s death. Purported ringleader Dante Martin was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison in January. Jessie Baskin served just shy of a year in county jail after entering a no-contest plea to manslaughter. Most of the others were sentenced to community service and probation.
Jackson’s sentencing now ends all prosecution in the case.
Champion collapsed and died in November 2011 after being pummeled by other members of FAMU’s famed Marching 100 band with fists and instruments during a brutal ritual known as “crossing Bus C” while aboard a parked bus after a football game.
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