Death penalty off the table for suspects in killing of Redskins' Taylor
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.
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.
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