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Ringleader In FAMU Hazing Death Sentenced To Prison

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ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — A former Florida A&M University band member who reportedly orchestrated the hazing of of drum major Robert Champion, an act which led to his death, has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Judge Renee Roche sentenced Dante Martin to 77 months in prison. Prosecutors had sought nine years.

Martin is the first of 15 former band members charged to receive prison time. He was convicted in October 2014 during a trial in which prosecutors said he was the ringleader of the ritual.

He was the first to stand trial in the 2011 death of Champion, who was from Decatur, Georgia.

The case brought into focus the culture of hazing in the band.

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