ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge Monday ordered two years of probation and 200 hours of community to Brian Jones, the first of a dozen former members of the Florida A&M marching band charged in the fatal hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.
The 23-year-old Jones must also complete six months of community control, which requires that he frequently check in with probation officials, reports the Associated Press.
Jones initially pleaded not guilty to a third-degree felony hazing charge before entering a no-contest plea Oct. 9. He could have received up to five years in prison; however, Judge Marc Lubet said the defendant’s role in Champion’s death was relatively minimal, and that Jones did not beat or hit Champion.
Eleven other band members are awaiting trial on felony hazing charges, and another faces a misdemeanor hazing count.
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