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Opinion: Judge in FAMU band hazing ignores the law’s intent “regardless of a victim’s willingness to participate”

Editorial: I must write an essay immediately for publication as a journalist editorializing in non-layman’s language. But once again, a judge has forgotten the law on hazing –regardless of a participant’s willingness to participate. 3 FAMU band defendants get away with no jail time following death of beaten Robert Champion. It is not up to me to judge the defendants, but I do judge the judge. And find the letter of the law was disregarded in my opinion. The court erred and has set back justice in hazing cases, I believe. –Moderator Hank Nuwer

By Hank Nuwer

Journalist Hank Nuwer tracks hazing deaths in fraternities and schools. Nuwer is the Alaska author of Hazing: Destroying Young Lives; Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing, High School Hazing, Wrongs of Passage and The Hazing Reader. In April of 2024 and April 2025 , the Alaska Press Club awarded him first place in the Best Columnist division.

He has written articles or columns on hazing for the Sunday Times of India, Toronto Globe & Mail, Harper's Magazine, Orlando Sentinel, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Times Sunday Magazine. His current book is Hazing: Destroying Young Lives from Indiana University Press. He is married to Malgorzata Wroblewska Nuwer of Fairbanks, Alaska. Read his musings in his blog at Real Alaska Daily--http://realalaskadaily.com

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