ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Former Florida A&M University marching band member Dante Martin was sentenced to six years and five months in prison for the hazing death of the band's drum major, Robert Champion Jr.
Champion, 26, died Nov. 19, 2011, after a hazing ritual in which he was beaten aboard a bus in Orlando after a football game. He sustained multiple blunt force traumas and internal bleeding.
Martin, 27, was convicted in October of manslaughter for being the ringleader in the incident.
Circuit Judge Renee Roche sentenced Martin to 77 months in prison Friday. She called him "a remarkable young man" with "limitless potential."
"On the other hand, the circumstances of this death were so profoundly disturbing," she said.
Martin faced up to 22 years for Champion's death.
Martin took the stand Friday, asking for forgiveness from Champion's father, Robert Champion Sr., and mercy from Roche.
"I really don't know how I could ask you, even say sorry to you," Martin said. "I know how everything has affected me -- emotionally and psychologically -- therefore I could never understand the burden of you losing your son."
Another former band member, Jessie Baskin, was sentenced to 51 weeks in jail for his role in the incident, and eight other ex-band members were given community service and probation.
Three others face trial later this year.
