Tuesday Marks Five Years Since Sean Taylor's Death
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Tuesday marks a grim anniversary in the history of both the University of Miami and the Washington Redskins. It was five years ago Tuesday that All-Pro safety Sean Taylor was murdered in his home.
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.
Taylor played with a reckless abandon on the field that garnered many fans with big hits and game-changing plays. His mystique was built on his on-field reputation, but few truly knew him or of the troubles he overcame off the field until after his death.
The death of Taylor shocked South Florida and the entire sports world. It made professional athletes rethink their personal security and forced many to rethink who they surrounded themselves with during and after a season.
Taylor was shot in the leg on November 26, 2007 when he 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.
Police moved fairly quickly in the shooting and eventually arrested a total of five people in relation to the murder of Taylor. Since the arrests were made in 2007, the wheels of justice have moved at a snail's pace.
One of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to the shooting, but the others are still awaiting trial, including 21-year-old Eric Rivera Junior who is accused of shooting Taylor. Various problems have delayed the trials including Rivera firing his attorney earlier this year.
Rivera's trial is scheduled to start next April.
