TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 8 (UPI) -- A Florida judge has sentenced the roommate of a Florida A&M drum major who died during a hazing incident to house arrest and probation.
Rikki Wills, 25, pleaded no contest a month ago to a felony charge of hazing resulting in death and first-degree hazing, a misdemeanor, in the Nov. 19, 2011, death of Robert Champion, 26, CNN reported.
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Donald Myers Jr., sentenced Wills Friday to one year of community control -- a form of house arrest -- and five years' probation.
"I just want to say to the family that I am very sorry for the loss of your son," Wills said shortly before he was sentenced.
Pam and Robert Champion Sr., the victim's parents, also spoke before Wills was sentenced.
"What if we could turn back the hand of time?" Pam Champion told the court Friday. "What if one individual said, we can make them stop?
"Instead of speaking up ... they kept silent to protect themselves," she said.
