An attorney has announced that the recent death of a drum major from Florida A&M has prompted a wrongful death lawsuit naming the school, as hazing actions are suspect, and reported by the Washington Post and other news media.
R.C., 26, was found dead on November 19 inside a bus that was used to carry band members, known as the "Marching 100", from a recent football game in Orlando. R.C., having recently been promoted in the band from clarinet player to drum major, allegedly complained of chest pains and had been vomiting before collapsing.
Robert Chestnut is representing the C. family in the lawsuit. The cause of death, yet to be determined, has been inconclusive so far per a preliminary autopsy. A spokeswoman for the Orange County medical examiner's office said that their office may require up to three months before determining what killed R.C.
But police, who arrived after being alerted from a 911 call, believe that some type of hazing ritual occurred before they arrived on scene. Chestnut also contends that R.C.'s injuries are consistent with hazing practices.
Deaths, that involve hazing, are considered a third-degree felony in the state of Florida.
A spokesperson for the school was unable to be reached for comment.
After R.C.'s death over the weekend, the school shut down the marching band on Tuesday. Remaining performances by the music department were also cancelled. And, of note, their veteran band director, J.W., was fired from the school.
Florida Governor Rick Scott announced that state investigators would be probing into the cause of R.C.'s sudden death. The college also said that the former state attorney general would perform an independent review of the events.
The ousted J.W., represented by attorney Chuck Hobbs, said that the tenured professor had asked administration - allegedly for years - to assist him in his efforts to put a halt to hazing.
In a letter, from Hobbs to Florida A&M President James Ammons, Hobbs wrote, "Hazing within the Marching 100 has often been met with reckless indifference by (J.W.'s) superior officers who often ignored his requests for assistance."
R.C.'s death and subsequent lawsuit, per the family, will help bring about change and the awareness of the dangers of hazing.
Allegedly, marching band hazing has increased in black colleges. The spots on marching bands can hold as much reverence as a spot in the sports teams they are supporting.
Two horn players from Southwestern University were beaten to the point of requiring hospitalization in 2008, 20 band members from Jackson State University were suspended in 2009 when others accused them of hazing and one paddled band member from FAMU suffered kidney damage in 2001.
A case where a clarinet player suffered with over 300 paddle strikes, from over 20 band members, allegedly settled his lawsuit against the state Board of Regents for $50,000.
Has your student been killed due to the egregious acts of another? Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss the aspects for your case. Oftentimes, with a lawsuit, the action alone can force change!