( CNN ) -- Twelve former students now face manslaughter charges in the November 2011 hazing death of Florida A & M University drum major Robert Champion Jr. , attorneys familiar with the case said Monday . Ten of them were previously charged with felony hazing resulting in death . They and two new defendants will now also be charged with manslaughter , said Craig Brown , the attorney for one of the students . State Attorney Jeff Ashton `` thought the proper charges in the case would be manslaughter and hazing with death , '' explained Assistant State Attorney Nicole Pegues in an e-mail sent to the defendants ' attorneys . Brown 's client , Aaron Golson , was among those charged with third-degree felony hazing . He now also faces a manslaughter charge , according to Brown . FAMU pledges reforms after report on hazing . `` I really find this to be a tactic by the state to pressure all of the defendants into some sort of prison time , '' Brown told CNN . `` Clearly a manslaughter charge could have been brought about initially . '' The defendants face a maximum of 15 years in prison with the charge , if convicted , Brown said . He expects the next hearing to be in September . Champion , 26 , died after a band hazing ritual in which he was beaten aboard a school bus after a football game in Orlando , Florida . The initiation requires pledges to run down the center of the bus while being punched , kicked and assaulted by senior members , band members have said . A medical examiner ruled Champion 's death a homicide and said he died within an hour of being beaten . Champion suffered multiple blunt trauma blows , the medical examiner said . Accrediting group puts FAMU on probation . The lawyer for Champion 's parents said Monday they feel the manslaughter charge is appropriate . `` Robert Champion was n't injured by hazing , he was killed by hazing , '' attorney Christopher Chestnut told CNN . `` The family is encouraged by ... that ( and feels ) this is the right message and hopes that this is the right message regarding hazing . '' One student who was involved in Champion 's death was convicted in October of felony hazing resulting in death . Bryan Jones pleaded no contest and was sentenced to six months of community control , two years of supervised probation and 200 hours of community service . Florida A & M was put on a one-year probation in December for its handling of the incident , and the famed band was suspended for the 2012-13 school year . The school has said it is making reforms to address the problem of hazing both on and off campus , including requiring students to sign an anti-hazing pledge . The school 's band , known as the Marching 100 , is one of the top university marching bands in the United States , famed for its elaborate dance formations and innovative style incorporating popular music . Parents of Robert Champion blast FAMU stance . Read more news on CNN.com . CNN 's Chandler Friedman contributed to this report .
NEW : Champion 's parents believe the manslaughter charge is appropriate . 12 defendants now face manslaughter and attempted hazing . Drum major Robert Champion died after a hazing incident in 2003 . The defendants face a maximum of 15 years in prison .