Five men who were facing trial in the death of Florida State University fraternity pledge Andrew Coffey have accepted plea deals that will see them take a misdemeanor hazing charge.
Four of the five men will spend two months in the Leon County Jail. A fifth, Conner Ravelo, was sentenced to 30 days for his cooperation during the investigation. Ravelo already has credit for serving the majority of those days.
Each will serve two yearlong periods of probation, during which they can’t drink alcohol and will be given random tests. As part of their probation they have been ordered to write apologies to the Coffey family. But only Ravelo during his time in court turned to Coffey’s parents, who were present at the hearing, to ask forgiveness.
Ravelo, who was Coffey’s "big brother" in Pi Kappa Phi, said he has waited a long time to make the apology in person. Ravelo turned toward the couple and told them, “I’m sorry for not thinking, I’m sorry for not acting the way I was raised to act”
Coffey’s parents gave an emotional victim impact statement as the hearing was beginning. Coffey’s mother said her family is “haunted by the image” of Coffey being alone with no one coming to his aide prior to his death.
In June, the remaining four men will go to trial, facing as many as five years in prison if they are found guilty of felony hazing.
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