Alleged “Bus C” president charged with hazing female student

Dante Martin, the FAMU snare drum player accused of coordinating the “Crossing Bus C” ritual that took the life of drum major Robert Champion, probably thought he could avoid charges by keeping his mouth shut. Martin refused to speak to detectives about the Champion homicide and has not been charged in the case.

But Martin can’t breathe a sigh of relief. He faces misdemeanor charges for allegedly hazing fellow drummer Requesta Harden.

Marching 100 member Marc Baron told detectives that Martin was serving his second year as the “bus president.” Numerous other witnesses stated that any student who wanted to “Cross Bus C” had to request permission from Martin.

According to the Orange County Sheriff Office’s report in the Champion investigation: “Requesta Harden said during the Saturday ride to the game on ‘Bus C,’ Dante Martin came up behind Requesta Harden, tapped her on the shoulder and directed her to the back of the bus where she was given a ‘hot seat.’ Requesta Harden said she did not perform at the game because she became dizzy and passed out, which she believes was a result of the beating.”

“In the hot seat, they put the blanket over my head and I was, like, in the crash position and then they start beating me,” Harden told detectives.

When asked how times she was struck, Harden said: “It felt like, probably, two or three hundred times.” She said she was punched and beaten with drumsticks.

Harden added that students had to complete the “hot seat” three times before they were permitted to go through the “Crossing Bus C” ritual.