In the latest twist in the Florida A&M University hazing case, two professors have quit just days before they were to be officially terminated for their role in the brutal hazing of band members—including one reported hazing incident that took place at the Tallahassee home of one of the professors in 2010.
Mutaqee Akbar, the attorney for the two music professors, told the Orlando Sentinel they resigned before their May 3 termination took effect in an effort to “protect their own careers.”
Students told police that the two professors, Anthony Simons and Diron Holloway, were both present during the hazing that took place at Holloway’s home and Holloway was seen slapping a student on the neck and back during the band’s pledging process.
The hazing of band members at Florida A& M burst into the national news in the wake of the death last fall of drum major Robert Champion. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said yesterday that at least five FAMU band members will face charges in the death and that their arrests will be made soon in multiple jurisdictions.