Three former Florida A&M University band members who were convicted of manslaughter in the brutal 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion have been spared jail, it has emerged. Benjamin McNamee, 24, Aaron Golson, 22, and 28-year-old Darryl Cearnel were found guilty in April of manslaughter and hazing in relation to Champion's killing aboard a parked school bus But on Friday, they were free to go to their respective homes after being sentenced to only 10 years' supervised probation by Circuit Judge Renee Roche following an emotional hearing. Champion, a drum major with FAMU's famed Marching 100 band, collapsed and died after being pummeled by other members with fists and instruments during a ritual dubbed 'crossing Bus C'.Benjamin McNamee, Aaron Golson and Darryl Cearnel were found guilty in April of manslaughter and hazing in relation to Robert Champion's deathChampion, a drum major with FAMU's Marching 100 band, collapsed and died after being pummeled by other members with fists and instrumentsOn Friday, the defendants - final three out of 15 convicted in case - were spared jail after judge sentenced them to 10 years' supervised probationSeveral character witnesses - including relatives, clergy members and Champion's family - testified, as well as McNamee, Golson and CearnelVictim's mother seen with tears trickling from her eyes after sentencing
However, Judge Roche said she chose to deviate from that recommendation because of evidence introduced at trial that showed _ willingly participated in the hazing after a football game. McNamee submitted a file with more than 100 character letters and called _ 'a good friend'.