Finally. 6 years after the tragic loss of Sean Taylor, maybe now his family can be at peace. A 23-year-old man was convicted of second-degree murder Monday in the 2007 slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor during what witnesses say was a botched burglary. More details after the jump…
Via ESPN:
The jury deliberated about 16 hours over four days before returning the verdict in the trial of Eric Rivera Jr., who admitted in a videotaped confession to police days after Taylor’s death that he fired the fatal shot after kicking in the bedroom door. At the trial, he said on the witness stand that his confession was given only under police pressure and amid purported threats to his family.
Rivera was also convicted of armed burglary.
Rivera, who was 17 at the time of the slaying, could be sentenced to life in prison.
Rivera sat quietly at the defense table with his lawyers after the verdict was announced, showing no reaction or emotion. The courtroom was packed with Taylor and Rivera family members, but there were no outbursts.
Neither prosecutors, Taylor’s family nor the family of the football player’s girlfriend would comment after the hearing.
(Story Continues…)
