TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Two Florida A&M University students appeared in court on Tuesday and said they plan to fight charges that they beat a fellow member of the famed Marching 100 band so hard during a hazing ritual that she was left with a broken thigh.
Tallahassee police said three men band members were involved in hazing Bria Shante Hunter for the “Red Dawg Order” — a band clique for students from Georgia. Investigators contend on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Hunter was beaten with fists and a metal ruler.
The alleged hazing of Hunter came about three weeks before drum major Robert Champion died during a band trip to Orlando. Police suspect that hazing was involved in that death.
At the hearing on Tuesday, a judge set a bond of $2,500 for James Harris, 22, who is charged with hazing.
Bonds of $10,000 were set for Sean Hobson, 23, and Aaron Golson, 19. They are charged with hazing and battery.
Attorneys for Harris and Golson said their clients would plead not guilty. It wasn’t immediately clear how Hobson would plead.
Police said the hazing happened at Harris’ off-campus apartment in Tallahassee, and at one point, he stopped Golson and Hobson from hitting Hunter further.
