Nearly six years after the death of Sean Taylor, a jury found a man guilty for the killing of the former All-Pro safety on Monday, the court announced Monday.
Sean Taylor murder trial: Eric Rivera found guilty of 2nd-degree murder
A jury found Eric Rivera guilty of second-degree murder and burglary with assault on Monday.
Eric Rivera was found guilty of second-degree murder and burglary with assault or battery while armed for the November 2007 break-in of Taylor's home that resulted in the death of the former Washington Redskins safety. The verdict came after 16 hours of deliberation among the jury, according to Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald.
Prosecutors said that Rivera was one of five who broke into Taylor’s Palmetto Bay house, where they did not believe he was home. Upon breaking into the master bedroom, prosecutors say Rivera shot Taylor in the femoral artery, which caused him to bleed to death. However, the jury reportedly could not agree that Rivera was the one who pulled the trigger, resulting in a lesser charge of second-degree murder.
Taylor played just four seasons in the NFL after he was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, earning Pro Bowl nods in his final two years. In 55 career games, Taylor accumulated 12 interceptions and eight forced fumbles, before he died at 24 years old.
Prior to leaving for the NFL, Taylor earned unanimous All-American honors as a junior with the Miami Hurricanes and received the Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award before entering the NFL Draft one year early.
Rivera is reportedly expected to receive his sentence in December, when he could receive as much as a life sentence.
More from SB Nation NFL
See More:
