ORLANDO, Fla. — The director of Florida A&M University's Marching 100 band has decided to retire, instead of fighting to get his job back, WFTV learned on Thursday.
Dr. Julian White was suspended following the discovery of several hazing cases, including the beating death of drum major Robert Champion after the Florida Classic in Orlando last November.
White said he'll spend more time with his family and will remain a loyal FAMU alum.
However, the controversy doesn't end there. WFTV learned that the Orange County judge presiding over the cases of 10 of the hazing death suspects is also a professor at FAMU's law school in Orlando.
Judge Marc Lubet was chosen to oversee trials for 10 of the 13 suspects charged with hazing Champion.
WFTV uncovered that Lubet has a pending contract to teach a pretrial law course for the FAMU College of law in the fall.
"The victim was from FAMU. The defendants are from FAMU. It seems to me that that's going to meet that threshold that a judge shall recuse himself if there is a reasonable appearance of conflict," said Michel H. Gibson, defense attorney.
But the judge has no plans to recuse himself. In an email from the State Attorney's Office, a spokesperson wrote: "Based on the available information, we do not plan to ask the judge to recuse himself at this time."
Some FAMU students seemed to understand that.
"The case isn't against the school, it's just students," said law student Esse Ighedosa.
Champion's parents are suing the university. Their son went into shock, while in Orlando for the Florida Classic. Investigators said he was beaten by 13 fellow band members.
Gibson said Lubet will ask for an appeal if he doesn't recuse himself and the students are convicted.
"With 13 co-defendants nobody wants to do it twice. So, I think that's the biggest danger to him as well as to the taxpayers," said Gibson.
The students are scheduled to be in court for their arraignment in June.
The state chancellor said the marching band should stay shut down after Champion's hazing death.
WFTV
