Death penalty off the table for suspects in killin

[The President]

The four men who are charged with the first-degree murder and armed burglary of former Redskins star Sean Taylor won't face the death penalty, according to multiple media reports.



Taylor

Prosecutors in the case have waived the death penalty for Jason Scott Mitchell, Eric Rivera Jr., Venjah Hunte and Charles Wardlow, the Fort Myers News Press and the Naples Daily News reported Sunday night.

All four men, if convicted, face life in prison.

Hunte's lawyer Michael Hornung said he learned of the decision by prosecutors late Friday.

"They would have had to show it was premeditated," Hornung said. "I believe that it's appropriate that they waive the death penalty."

The current theory of the crime, that Rivera was the alleged shooter, likely prevented prosecutors from seeking the death penalty since Rivera was a minor at the time of the shooting.

"The fact that the prosecution won't seek the death penalty has been a foregone conclusion," Taylor family spokesman Richard Sharpstein told the Fort Myers News Press. "The family is still supporting the prosecutors and looking for justice to be done."

Taylor, an All-Pro safety, was shot during a botched robbery attempt at his Miami home in November. He died a day later from wounds suffered during the break-in.

The trial for all four defendants is scheduled to begin Aug. 25.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[SOC]

I can understand that...I'd rather have them suffer for the rest of their life in jail...

[The President]

Part of me would like to shoot them myself!

[The President]

sure you all have heard already:

sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3397042

MIAMI -- One of five suspects charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and burglary.

Defense attorney Michael Hornung said Thursday that according to the plea agreement, Venjah Hunte will serve 29 years in prison and cooperate with prosecutors.

Hunte pleaded guilty on Friday but prosecutors requested the plea agreement be sealed because investigators were pursuing the fifth suspect, Hornung said.

That suspect, 16-year-old Timothy Brown, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and armed burglary of an occupied dwelling.

Brown was arrested in Lee County about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Miami-Dade Police said in a statement. He was awaiting transport to Miami-Dade County.

Brown did not yet have an attorney on record with the prosecutor's office, Griffith said, and it has not been determined if he will be tried with the four other suspects.

Court documents and police reports had previously suggested five people were involved in Taylor's death, but only four were originally charged.

Taylor, 24, died of massive blood loss after he was shot at his Miami-area home in November during a botched robbery. A trial for the four Fort Myers-area suspects is scheduled for Aug. 25.

Richard Sharpstein, a Miami defense attorney who has acted as spokesman for the Taylor family, expressed gratitude Wednesday for authorities' work on the case.

"The family is thankful that the investigation continues and that all individuals responsible for Sean's death meet harsh justice," he said.

Sharpstein said he could not speak about the facts of the case because of a gag order.


Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

[The President]

29 years? Sean wasn't even 29 years old. The robbed him of 50 or 60 years, any and all of them should never get out, to say that least.

[chubakah]

I don't understand why this wouldn't be an eye for an eye type of case. My guess is Sean's parents had something to do with this.

[skinsfan44]

I have heard that because the shooter was under 18, Florida law states that he can not get the death penalty, so because of that, the others involved can not as well.

I know of a way to save the Florida taxpayers a ton of money.

Let me shoot those bastards in the head with my .357 Magnum. ;D

[The President]

I love that idea Dave!