ATLANTA (AP) — The attorney for the family of a Florida A&M University band member who died from a hazing incident last fall said Robert Champion’s parents are “thankful” that authorities plan to file charges in the case.

Christopher Chestnut told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the charges are “a long time in coming.” Authorities said at least five people will face charges in Champion’s November 2011 death aboard a bus after a performance in Orlando, Fla.

The charges are expected to be announced Wednesday afternoon.

Chestnut said Champion’s family, which lives in Decatur, Ga., is “distraught” they weren’t given enough notice to attend the announcement. He said they found out about the pending charges from the media, not Florida authorities.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.