Jessie Baskin was sentenced to 51 weeks in the county jail, five years of probation and 300 hours of community service for participating in the beating death of 26-year-old Robert Champion, the drum major for the Florida A&M marching band who was hazed to death in November 2011.
In a hearing that lasted nearly three hours, Baskin’s attorney called several character witnesses from the 22-year-old’s family, including his mother and father. He also submitted a brief that contained letters pleading for leniency.
Baskin was emotional throughout, several times wiping away tears, and other times trembling in his seat.
Fifteen former band members were charged with manslaughter and hazing in Champion’s death. Seven have been sentenced to combinations of probation and community service. One other defendant – 25-year-old Caleb Jackson – has pleaded no contest to manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing.
What do you think of the sentence? Does he deserve more than a year in jail?
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(Photo Source: EURWeb.com)
