ABC News picked up a story that TV 20 ran on May 3 based upon
an earlier report by Azor and Hart. The two students went to Decatur, Ga. on
Nov. 30, 2011 to cover the funeral of FAMU drum major Robert Champion, a hazing
victim. The important information from their report is now spreading to ABC News affiliates across the nation and world.
After Leon County, Florida deputies booked drum major Rikki
Wills for allegedly hazing Champion, TV 20 re-posted his interview with Azor
and Hart at Champion’s funeral. Wills and two other drum majors who face third
degree felony charges in the Champion case marched in front of the casket of
the man they are accused of helping to haze.
Rattler Nation did its part to spread awareness of the TV 20
exclusive by posting Azor and Hart’s original report on May 5.
Ng’s photo caption read: “In this image from a video on the
Rattler Nation blog, members of the Florida A&M University marching band
lead a horse-drawn carriage carrying the casket of Robert Champion on Nov. 30,
2011 in Decatur, Ga. Champion was found dead on Nov. 19 on a bus parked outside
an Orlando, Fla. hotel after a Florida A&M football game. (Rattler Nation)”
The Champion tragedy has brought sadness throughout all of
Rattler Country. Azor and Hart are proof that even in this tough time for the
Rattler family, FAMU can still take pride in having the very best journalism program and broadcast reporting students in
the United States.