FAMU Band Drum Major's Death Ruled Homicide - East Idaho News
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FAMU Band Drum Major’s Death Ruled Homicide

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120111 RobertChampion?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1324076668401On the day Robert Champion died, he texted his parents a photograph of himself with a young boy from a children’s marching band. (Champion Family Photo)(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — The death of Robert Champion, the Florida A&M drum major who was allegedly hazed in November, has been ruled a homicide, the medical examiner announced Friday.

“Homicide investigators have interviewed the vast majority of the individuals present during this incident. In the coming days and weeks investigators will be working with the State Attorney’s Office to identify the charges that are applicable,” the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The 26-year-old died Nov. 19 on a bus outside a hotel after the band had performed at a football game in Orlando. Four band members were subsequently dismissed from FAMU in connection with the Champion incident, and then reinstated.

The director of the school’s Marching 100 band, Julian White, was fired and then put on administrative leave pending an investigation from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

FDLE is currently investigating the school for potential fraud and misconduct. FDLE has asked the school to suspend any disciplinary or administrative reviews related to the alleged misconduct.

“We’re aware of the autopsy results and our investigation is still active,” FDLE spokesman Keith Kameg said Friday.

Last week FAMU’s board of trustees reprimanded school president James Ammons for the way he dealt with hazing, but students rallied in support of Ammons Thursday night to protest the board’s recommendation that Ammons be suspended immediately.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

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