ORLANDO, Fla. — The attorney for the last of the suspects charged in the death of a Florida A&M University drum major during a hazing ritual said his client didn’t have to appear for an arraignment Tuesday because he’d already entered a written not guilty plea.
Darryl Cearnel was scheduled to be arraigned in state court in Orlando. But attorney Anthony Britt said the previously entered plea satisfied that process.
Cearnel was charged with manslaughter and felony hazing in March, becoming the 14th former FAMU band member charged in Robert Champion’s November 2011 death.
Prosecutors say Champion, who was from Decatur, Ga., collapsed and died after walking down a gauntlet of other band members who beat him with fists and instruments on a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel following a football game.
Most of the other defendants facing charges in the case were charged last year. Three have avoided jail time after entering no contest pleas and being sentenced to community service and probation. A fourth is awaiting sentencing after his no contest plea.
Attorney Chris Chestnut, who is representing Champion’s parents in a civil lawsuit filed against FAMU, said Tuesday that he plans to begin taking initial depositions in the coming weeks. He also hopes the judge in the case will set a trial date soon.
Last year, Pam and Robert Champion Sr. turned down a $300,000 settlement offer from the school.
