No Jail Time for 1st Defendant in Champion Case
Monday, October 22, 2012
By: Mark Simpson

Oct 22, 2012 | WMFE - Monday in Orlando former Florida A&M University band member Brian Jones received a sentence of 200 hours community service and two years probation after pleading no contest to third degree felony charges.

Jones avoided time in jail, but will still be monitored closely.  He will spend six months under community control which requires regular check-ins with probation officers and restricts his movements.

The judge noted that 23 year old Jones played a minor role in drum major Robert Champion’s death, and that Jones did not hit or beat Champion.

Champion died in Orlando in November of 2011 following the FAMU band’s participation in the final game of their football season.

He joined a band hazing ritual on a bus rented for game where he was beaten by band members.

A dozen other defendants in the case are expected to go to trial next year.