Former Fla. band member guilty in hazing

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida jury on Friday found a former college marching band member guilty of manslaughter in a Florida hazing case that drew national attention, according to the law firm representing the victim’s family.

Percussionist Dante Martin, 27, was convicted for his role in a November 2011 hazing ritual involving the Florida A&M University’s celebrated “Marching 100” band that led to the death of Robert Champion, a 26-year-old drum major.

Martin, who was the percussion section president, was also convicted of a felony charge of hazing resulting in a death and two misdemeanor counts of hazing, said Barb Moore Austin, who works for the attorney representing Champion’s family.

He was the first of 14 band members charged in the incident to go to trial. Nine others received probation and community service in plea deals, and one was sentenced to almost a year in jail.

Three others are scheduled to go on trial next year.