State attorney takes on Champion investigation

 

The investigation of the death of Robert Champion changed hands on Monday.

 

The State Attorney’s Office will join the investigation of the drum major’s death alongside the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

 

The State Attorney’s Office will make a “determination of applicable charges” after receiving documents related to the case, according to a release from OCSO spokeswoman Deputy Ginette Rodriguez Monday.

 

Danielle Tavernier, the spokeswoman for the State Attorney’s Office, said the case is “going to be reviewed by a prosecutor for a decision on how to proceed.”

 

Tavernier also said, “What we do is when we receive a case from law enforcement, it goes to one of our attorneys to review to make a charging decision, whether or not criminal charges are warranted.”

 

The Orange County medical examiner determined Champion died as a result of hazing and his death was ruled a homicide.

 

Kenneth Lewis, a homicide attorney, will serve as the prosecutor in the case. Lewis has been involved in many high-profile cases, including being named as a special witness in the Casey Anthony murder case last summer.

 

“It could take any amount of time,” Tavernier said.