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Prosecutors won’t seek death penalty in NFL star’s shooting death
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Prosecutors in the murder case of NFL star Sean Taylor will not seek the death penalty.
Miami-Dade prosecutors could have sought the stiffest of penalties against only three of the four suspects from Fort Myers accused of the botched robbery at Taylor’s home.
The accused triggerman, Eric Rivera Jr., was only 17 during the November shooting at Taylor’s suburban Miami mansion. He has since turned 18 but would only face a maximum of life in prison because of his age.
Charles Wardlow, 19, and Venjah Hunte and Jason Mitchell, both 20, are accused of driving across the state to steal from Taylor, a Washington Redskins defensive back, and have been charged with first-degree murder for their part in the crime.
By virtue of the state waiving the death penalty in the case, the suspects all have escaped the electric chair if convicted. Their attorneys received notification via certified mail late Friday.
“The state would have to show there was some premeditated plan, in my opinion, to seek the death penalty,” said Michael F. Hornung, who represents Hunte.
If convicted of first-degree murder, the suspects’ fate is now sealed. They will receive life in prison without parole, according to state law.
“There is no wiggle room for a judge. That is a mandatory sentence,” Hornung said.
The trial is set to start Aug. 25 under the direction of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy. There is the possibility that any of the defendants could work out a plea deal for a lesser charge.
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I completely disagree with this. I understand under the law, that since Eric was in deed a minor at the time of the crime, he cannot be sentenced to death. HOWEVER, as for the others, I say fry them. OFCOURSE it was premeditated. they DROVE ALL THE WAY to his house to ROB HIM and THEY HAD A GUN. if there was no plans on hurting anyone. why the gun? DERRRRRRRRR.......
but oh well, whats done is done, they arent going for the death penalty. at least the scum bags will rot in prison for the rest of their pathetic lives.
#1 Posted by Patsprincess25 on May 12, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHY? Now we have to support these bottom dwellers for the rest of their crummy lives
#2 Posted by FECOYLE on May 12, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about this?
Put all 4 of them in a single cell and tell them that the last survivor will walk. That at lease relieve taxpayers of the cost of supporting these worthless pieces of human feces.
#3 Posted by warrenfire on May 12, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Send these 4 idiots to Iraq, along with the rest of those in the jail system. They want to kill so bad, go kill the Taliban and all the terrorists over there.
#4 Posted by napleska7 on May 12, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a bunch of bullcrap, these idiots should fry, period!! It met the "premeditated requirement and they were old enough to plan it, talk about it all the way to Miami and then pull it off, fry their sorry bottom for all of us.
#5 Posted by fathead on May 12, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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