Hazing Trial Starts for Four FAMU Band Members

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The trial of four band members charged in the hazing death of a Florida A & M University drum major is scheduled to begin this week.

The start of the trial is set for Monday, though a late challenge by the attorneys for three defendants about the inclusion of an additional hazing charge could delay trials for those defendants. The trial date comes almost three years after Robert Champion's death shone a spotlight on hazing, caused the band to be suspended and contributed to the resignation of the university's president.

Fifteen former band members originally were charged with manslaughter and hazing in the death of Champion, of Decatur, Georgia. All but the four remaining defendants have had their cases settled, and several of them will be called as witnesses.

The trial is expected to last about two weeks.

(Story by: Mike Schneider, The Associated Press)