Hazing Punishment

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            The 2011 hazing death of Robert Champion is now infamous in many circles. Champion died after an induction of sorts into the Florida A&M’s Marching 100. The cause of death was multiple blunt force traumas. Now justice has been served for Champion’s family, or has it? Bryan Jones, one of the accused was sentenced this week to community control, probation, and community service. He initially pleaded not guilty but then changed his plea to no contest in order to stay out of prison. The trouble with prosecuting this case is that there are multiple defendants who are all accused of taking part in the hazing ritual, and since Champion died of multiple blunt force traumas it is impossible to know which punch, kick, or assault was actually the deathblow. This sentencing is the first of many in this case, and I believe we can expect the others to duplicate this punishment.

            This is just another terrible example of how hazing has gotten out of hand. Hazing is not something new, especially among bands and athletic teams. However, in a quest to outdo every other initiation that has come before or at least make the new initiation class suffer more than you suffered during your turn, things are being taken to the extreme. In the case of Robert Champion the hazing ritual is called “crossing the bus” and the pledges had to run down the center aisle from the front to the back while being beaten by senior members. The Marching 100 was suspended and faces disciplinary action. Many other similar organizations have since gone under review. These sorts of reviews are important because violent hazing needs to stop. The practice does not foster a safe environment and while not everyone has to participate, peer pressure dictates the actions of many young adults. In Champion’s case, it seems the behavior he agreed to in order to fit in with the cool crowd ended up getting him killed.

            While Jones was not sentenced to prison time, I do not think his sentence was too lenient. He’ll serve six months of community control where his movements will be monitored, two years of supervised probation, and 200 hours of community service. It is not likely that he knew while holding Champion in a bear hug during the beating that he would contribute to a death, but he should have known something like that could happen. By pleading no contest, Jones avoided up to 72 months in a state penitentiary. The state is making an example out of him and the other defendants. This is a very visible case and it is turning into a teachable moment for kids and young adults everywhere. People are learning that they can and will be prosecuted even if they didn’t technically commit murder there will be a price to pay.