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From The Sports Pages: Gunman in Taylor shooting wants plea deal

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  • From The Sports Pages: Gunman in Taylor shooting wants plea deal

    Pay attention. This isn't Texas. This is the viewpoint of prosecutors across the nation.
    It should put to rest any debates here, unless the law is changed, which I don't see happening.

    Gunman in Taylor shooting wants plea deal]
    Associated Press, Updated 2 minutes ago

    MIAMI (AP) - A lawyer for the 17-year-old accused gunman in the killing of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor wants to reach a plea deal with prosecutors.

    Sawyer Smith, who along with his father Wilbur is representing Eric Rivera, said Wednesday his client was admitting no wrongdoing yet.
    "When the State Attorney's Office is ready, we would like to sit down and begin discussion with them so we can move towards a resolution in the case that has the best interest of all parties in mind," Smith said. "We want to minimize the impact of case resolution on the Taylor family and find a result that's in the best interest of justice."

    Circuit Judge John Thornton Jr. denied Rivera bail Wednesday in his brief appearance via videoconference in a Miami-Dade County courtroom. His three co-defendants were denied bail a day earlier.

    All four — Rivera; Charles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20 — have been charged with first-degree felony murder and armed burglary. Their arraignments are this month.

    Taylor died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot in the bedroom of his home. Police have said the 24-year-old player was a victim of a botched burglary.

    Smith said he was happy Rivera had been moved to Miami and had his first appearance in court. He said he understood it most likely would be some time before prosecutors would speak with him.


    "When they're ready and in a position to discuss this case with us we're looking forward to that day," Smith said.

    Wardlow's attorney, David Brener, distanced his client's actions from those of Rivera and said he expected to go to trial.

    "I believe that the acts of Mr. Rivera, who was the shooter of this case, constitute an independent act," Brener said Wednesday. "My client never contemplated that Mr. Rivera was going to arm himself or use lethal force against Mr. Taylor."

    Smith said the defense attorneys in the case have a history of working together, but he said he understood the grand jury's identification of his client as the alleged gunman puts him in a unique position.

    "The other boys may be in a position to separate themselves somewhat from our client," he said. "However, under the felony murder rule, if it can be shown that they're involved in it, if they're involved in the burglary, then it's not a defense that they were not the one that pulled the trigger."
    Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
    "Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
    He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead

  • #2
    My guess is one of the "non-shooters" will make the deal.
    "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
    "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

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    • #3
      If they need someone to testify in order to tie a bow on the case, I see no reason why the prosecutor wouldn't make a deal.
      I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
      For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio

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      • #4
        Yeah, that's my thinking. Prosecuting this would be much easier if one of the defendants were to testify. I don't know if they need someone but surely it would be desirable.

        If anyone gets a deal it will be one or more of the accomplices, not the shooter. I think the shooter's lawyer is hoping and praying at this point.
        "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
        "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

        Comment


        • #5
          I'd hope they all plea and get 'deals'... save a ton of money to the state and save a lot of frustration and anxiety to the family. I'm not suggesting '2 years house arrest' type deals, but perhaps a plea to 2nd degree (non-premeditated murder) would be reasonable (and then throw themselves on the judge's mercy sentencing wise)...
          <Reverend> IRC is just multiplayer notepad.
          I like your SNOOPY POSTER! - While you Wait quote.

          Comment


          • #6
            Snoopy: Unless the case is weak, the one person I can guarantee you won't be getting a deal is the shooter. Anyone else depends on how much the prosecutor needs the headlines and the feelings of the family.
            I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
            For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio

            Comment


            • #7
              I presume FL is a DP state so even the shooter has a potential deal. The reasons Snoopy mentioned may lead to a life term for guilty plea. It depends on how pressing the other factors are.
              "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
              "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

              Comment


              • #8
                I think the shooter has the best chance of coming to a deal. Not getting one, but coming to one; he's the one with the weakest case. The others can argue the felony murder charge (say, arguing they weren't committing a felony, only trespass which I don't think is a felony) but the shooter has a harder time (as he actually shot him).

                I don't see the prosecutor dropping the felony murder charges or pleaing them down very far, and I don't think they would be likely to accept a plea to felony murder unless it's pretty solid (ie, the shooter pleas and testifies), so I think the shooter has a lot more to gain by pleaing (even to 2nd degree murder, and thus avoiding the DP)...
                <Reverend> IRC is just multiplayer notepad.
                I like your SNOOPY POSTER! - While you Wait quote.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Sucks to be him.
                  "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
                  "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Wezil
                    Sucks to be Sean Taylor.
                    Fixed.
                    Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin
                    Iain Banks missed deadline due to Civ | The eyes are the groin of the head. - Dwight Schrute.
                    One more turn .... One more turn .... | WWTSD

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                    • #11
                      Does it? How do you know?
                      "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
                      "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        yeah, he could be with 72 virgins right now.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          An imaginary all-powerful being told me?

                          He's dead, shooter & accomplices are alive. I have no sympathy for the latter. (Or did I misread your intent?)

                          @ Dis - he wasn't on a jihad, and there's no guarantee they're beautiful women anyway.
                          Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin
                          Iain Banks missed deadline due to Civ | The eyes are the groin of the head. - Dwight Schrute.
                          One more turn .... One more turn .... | WWTSD

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Lord Avalon
                            An imaginary all-powerful being told me?
                            The afterlife with your imaginary being is unpleasant is it? You should shop around for a new one.


                            He's dead, shooter & accomplices are alive. I have no sympathy for the latter. (Or did I misread your intent?)


                            I think you misread my intent. Just projecting(?) how it would suck to be him at this point. If I actually gave a damn about him I would have ended with a --->
                            "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
                            "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Wezil

                              The afterlife with your imaginary being is unpleasant is it? You should shop around for a new one.
                              Actually, I'm not sure who's filling in, or even if anyone is, while God's still out to lunch. So the afterlife may be looking rather shabby by now.
                              Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin
                              Iain Banks missed deadline due to Civ | The eyes are the groin of the head. - Dwight Schrute.
                              One more turn .... One more turn .... | WWTSD

                              Comment

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