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FAMU Wants To Settle Hazing Death Lawsuit

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – In an effort to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of a band member who died after an alleged hazing incident, Florida A&M University's board of trustees has instructed their attorneys to enter a voluntary mediation session with attorneys for the family of Robert Champion.

Champion died last November after Marching 100 members allegedly beat him on a bus in Orlando after FAMU's last football game of the season.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts in the hazing of Champion. They have pleaded not guilty.

The Champions in their lawsuit claim university officials did not take action to stop hazing even though a school dean proposed suspending the band because of hazing three days before their son died.

Any settlement would have to be approved by FAMU trustees.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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