ORLANDO, Fla. — The manslaughter trial of the remaining three former band members charged in the hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major has begun.
Jury selection is expected to occupy much of Monday.
Before jury selection, Judge Renee Roche dismissed misdemeanor hazing charges faced by defendants Benjamin McNamee, Aaron Golson and Darryl Cearnel, who are being tried together. Each still faces 15 years on manslaughter and felony hazing counts for the November 2011 death of 26-year-old Robert Champion.
Champion—from Decatur, Georgia—was beaten during a hazing ritual after a football game in November 2011.
Fifteen former band members were charged with manslaughter. Dante Martin, now 27, was convicted last year and is serving six years.
Another former band member, Jessie Baskin, served one year in county jail. Others took deals for probation and community service.
