Codner sentenced to four years of probation for Champion hazing

On Friday, ex-FAMU snare drum player LaSherry Codner became the sixth hazing defendant to take a plea deal in the Robert Champion, Jr. case. Prosecutors dropped a manslaughter charge against her in exchange for her “no contest” plea to felony hazing.

Circuit Judge Marc Lubet sentenced her to four years of probation. She must also serve 100 hours of community service and pass an anti-hazing class.

According to WFTV in Orlando, “Codner, 22, admitted to striking Robert Champion on the back and cheering everyone else on before Champion suffered the fatal blows on a FAMU band bus in November 2011.”

Part of the plea deal requires Codner, the only woman charged in the case, to serve as a prosecution witness and provide a written apology to Champion’s parents.

Codner offered Pamela and Robert Champion, Sr., who were listening by phone, a verbal apology in the courtroom.

“On behalf of myself and my entire marching-band family, no one intended on this happening,” she told the court. “This truly changed our lives. We’re very, very and deeply sorry that this happened.”