There have now been four men arrested in the slaying of Redskins defensive standout Sean Taylor. The first three arrested in this case were Eric Rivera, 17; Charles Wardlow, 18; and Venjah Hunte, 20. All were held without bail and charged with home invasion with a firearm or another deadly weapon, unpremeditated murder, and burglary in the first degree. The fourth man charged with the crimes was Jason Mitchell, 19; he was shown on a videoconference late last night, when asked if he understood the charges his response was very quiet.
Sawyer Smith, a member of his legal team released this quote to the press “he looks like he's in shock”. These men charged were no strangers to the legal system in Dade County, Florida but this is by far the strongest charge in their legal jacket. Wardlow was arrested twice for selling marijuana, and once again for Grand theft of a vehicle. Hunte was arrested just this year on drug and trespassing charges. Mitchell (the alleged “mastermind” of the caper) has twice been in the hands of authorities, most recently in October for driving while suspended, and probation violation. Rivera has the most serious criminal resume of them all, he was arrested for trafficking marijuana, cocaine, and methamphedamine. He also just got finished doing time for filing the serial numbers off of a firearm.
The Associated press released information on some of the details in the case, which include conformation that some of the men have confessed and plan to turn states evidence. It was also said that the people who knew these perpetrators were trying to defend them. Are you kidding me? Defend these social parasites that killed an innocent man at the peak of his career, and destroyed the mental core of his family leaving behind just pain and suffering for all those involved. All this was done for the almighty dollar. There is no one in their right mind that should even dignify the idea of defending these animals. Smith who represents Mitchell and Rivera released this statement “These young men are just terrified about the outcome of this trial.” Good, in this reporter's eyes I believe that they deserve it.
The Dade County Police Director Robert Parker (left) expressed his disgust with the four alleged murderers in a press conference in Miami on Friday. “There is no room for killers like this roaming the streets of our great county” Parker proclaimed, “people like this have no sense of humanity”. He also added “murder was not their initial move”; personally I don't think that it matters. They still killed him and they are still murderers.
Thousands have been expected to mourn the death of the Washington Redskins Pro Bowler today. And all NFL teams are expected to also give their respects to their fallen brother. Fans, teammates, and most importantly friends and family will miss Sean Taylor. This will bring no comfort for the family of the victim but I hope that these four men are brought to justice. I have never given much credit to our judicial system but now is the time to show me and the rest of the world that people like this just aren't welcome as free men in this country.
My sympathy goes out to the parents, girlfriend, and child of the fallen superstar. Sean Taylor will be missed.
-Pictures and quotes courtesy of The Associated Press-
In loving memory of
Sean Taylor
1983-2007
R.I.P. #21
