August Trial Date For Alleged Sean Taylor Shooter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — More than five years after the shooting death of star Redskins safety Sean Taylor in his Miami home, a new trial date has been set for the alleged shooter.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy said Tuesday that 22-year-old Eric Rivera Jr. will stand trial Aug. 12. The case has been delayed numerous times since Taylor was killed during what prosecutors say was a botched robbery at his Miami-area home on November 26th, 2007.
Taylor and his girlfriend were woken up by noises coming from inside their home. Once thieves broke through the bedroom door, two shots were fired with one hitting Taylor in the leg, fatally damaging his femoral artery.
Taylor never recovered from the shooting and died the next day.
Rivera and three others, all from the Fort Myers area, have pleaded not guilty and are being tried separately. Each faces a possible life sentence if convicted.
A fifth man previously pleaded guilty to murder and burglary charges and is likely to testify against the others.
Taylor was a star for the University of Miami and was drafted in the first round by the Redskins. He was off to a great start in his career when he was cut down at the age of 24. In just over three and a half years, Taylor had 299 tackles, 2 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and 12 interceptions.
If Rivera, Jr. is convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
