UPDATED: Police: We have confessions

by Skin Patrol on Nov 30, 2007 6:29 PM EST in Miscellaneous Comment 10 comments

Update [2007-12-1 12:21:36 by Skin Patrol]: No bond for three of the suspects, the fourth hasn't had a hearing yet. Per Miami Herald:

Three of the four men charged in the death of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor were denied bond early Saturday in Lee County Circuit Court.

Venjah Hunte, 20, Eric Rivera, 17, and Charles Wardlow, 18, were charged with felony murder, home invasion and armed robbery....

Under Florida law, anyone who commits a violent felony in which a death occurs can face a murder charge....

[John E. Evans III, an attorney representing Wardlow] also said he did not believe his client was the shooter. He also said Wardlow may have a history of seizures and schizophrenia.

And the defense begins.

Update [2007-12-1 1:21:9 by Skin Patrol]: Again, hat is off to Extreme Skin's thousands of eyes. Newest update per the Miami Herald:

''We have confessions, but I'm not going to talk about the details of the confessions at this point,'' Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker said at a news conference in Doral...

Police also arrested Charles Wardlow, 18, a cousin of Johnson's boyfriend. Also cuffed were Eric Rivera, 17, and Venjah Hunte, 20. All face murder charges...

As is common in such cases, the four gave detectives conflicting statements and blamed one another. Under Florida law, anyone who commits a felony that leads to a death can be charged with murder.

Plenty more in the article that suggests or anticipates additional arrests.

Update [2007-11-30 20:52:11 by Skin Patrol]: Per ESPN:

The Miami-Dade Police Department has arrested four people in connection with the fatal shooting of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor.

Miami-Dade police department spokeswoman Linda O'Brien identified the men as: Venjah K. Hunte, 20; Eric Rivera Jr., 17; Jason Scott Mitchell, 17; and Charles Kendrick Lee Wardlow, 18.

Update [2007-11-30 19:34:33 by Skin Patrol]: Hat tip: ES. READ THIS:

Sources tell us the person who is the alleged shooter has confessed.

A source also tells us the suspects broke into Sean Taylor’s home a couple of weeks ago to get "a large sum of money." They went back a week later and tried to get that money, and that is when the shooting happened.

Still early, I don't know what to think. Remember the source.

Update [2007-11-30 20:15:13 by Skin Patrol]: FYI, Per Florida Statute:

782.04 Murder (1)(a) The unlawful killing of a human being:
2. When committed by a person engaged in the perpetration of, or in the attempt to perpetrate, any:
d. Robbery,

e. Burglary...

is murder in the first degree and constitutes a capital felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082.

(b) In all cases under this section, the procedure set forth in s. 921.141 shall be followed in order to determine sentence of death or life imprisonment.

I don't know how this plays out and I am not an attorney and I cannot at all guarantee that the above information is correct. But that's what I'm reading.

Update [2007-11-30 18:46:23 by Skin Patrol]: Two of the suspects now have names and ages per the article below, and they are Eric Rivera (17) and Charles Wardlow (18). Article says they both have arrest records in Lee County. I found an Eric Rivera that happened to be 17 years old: ran a stopsign, I think driving without a license but I don't understand the Lee County abbreviations, a "LEARNER'S DL VIOLATIONS/PERSON ACCOMPANYING" whatever that means, "TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE/FAIL TO OBEY", "DL VIOL OF RESTRICTIONS" arrested on Oct. 7th, etc. That kind of thing. On Charles Wardlow: I found nothing. The video at the WINK link says he has a previous theft arrest that I couldn't find, although that means nothing as it is disclaimed pretty heavily that there is no guarantee on the info sought from the Lee County Clerk. Just FYI, if interested.

Update [2007-11-30 18:29:29 by Skin Patrol]: Per WINK news, which I think is a local affiliate:

Authorities say Taylor gave money to his brother and sister. They, in turn, shared the wealth with suspects now detained in connection with the case. Officials also believe Taylor's brother and sister may have bragged about the large amount of wealth inside his Miami home.

This is getting very strange. More importantly, though:

Detectives say fingerprints led police to the suspects in Fort Myers.

I repeat my committment to letting the police do their job and would caution restraint in reaching conclusions yet uncovered. Everyone deserves their day in court. Barring some drastically new development, I'll keep this post updated with info on the investigation as it unfolds. Hat tip to Extreme Skins' thousands of eyes for finding the article.

Update [2007-11-30 13:14:54 by Skin Patrol]: Local 10 says the detained persons were 17, 19 and 26 years old.

Hat tip: Extreme Skins. From the Miami Herald:

Miami-Dade detectives have detained at least three people in Lee County for questioning in the death of Washington Redskins football star Sean Taylor.

Investigators believe the young men learned of Taylor's house through someone who unwittingly set up the burglary by bragging about the football star's wealth.

The suspects include a teenager and two men in their 20s who hail from the Fort Myers area...

Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents and Miami-Dade homicide detectives picked up the young men Friday morning.

I vacationed in Fort Myers a few years back; it's a beach bum town. I liked it.

I would caution reader(s) from drawing too many conclusions at this point about anything. A murder investigation is ongoing and the people detained deserve their day in court as much as the next person. For now, I just hope for a quick and fair conclusion to the incident and that those responsible -- whether they are in police custody now or not -- are brought to swift justice.

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18 and 19 years old.

I think I'm going to vomit.

by ReggieBullits on Nov 30, 2007 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

seriously

punk ass bitches. Hope they get locked away for life if they're in fact guilty. I know you're urging every one to settle down and wait for the facts SP, so we shall for now. Interesting developments though.

by Blitzburgh on Nov 30, 2007 10:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

From a Cowboys fan

I first want to say how saddened I am by all this. My heart goes out to all the Redskins and their fans, and of course Taylor's friends and family. I meant to post earlier but never got the chance. What brought me here now, was the news of the recent arrests. This news hits hard because I live in Cape Coral, Florida which sits directly next to Fort Myers. I go there daily. It's horrible to know I live that close to such scum that would drive a couple hundred miles to break into someone's home and then take their life, whether it was their intention or not. I hope they get all that is coming to them.

by Tristan on Nov 30, 2007 11:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Everything i'm reading and watching

state that the police have multiple confessions.

Also that there maybe more arrests to come.

Also that there is as of now, no direct connection, and probabaly wont be with Sean Taylor.

Also Wilbon, Cowherd(pronounced COWARD) and others can shove this story up their ass right before they hand in their resignation with shame.

Say what Wilbon and Korheiser? Theres going to be things that come out that his fans dont want to hear! I'm still waiting. In fact I havent heard anything other than good things, deeds and plenty of wonderful stories about his life.

Heres to a man that HAS more dignity and more respect than all those classless writers and commentaters who know how to keep their job by tearing a dead man down.

by Sincethebeginning on Nov 30, 2007 11:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

There was a connection...

They knew Sean Taylor's sister. He let them party at his house out of kindness.

And in return they broke in and shot him.

This had nothing to do with Sean Taylor's past, if the suspects currently arrested are the murderers. It was just some dumbshit kids in a burglary gone bad.

I'm not holding my breath on an apology from anyone that suggested this might have to do with Sean Taylor's imaginary "thug" lifestyle, though.

This is fucking sickening.

Go Register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Nov 30, 2007 11:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Let them party" as in...

provide alcohol to minors?

Oh my God! Kornheiser and Wilbon were right! What kind of terrible person would buy 18, 19 year old boys alcohol? After this news, I'm not sure I can ever think of Taylor the same.

by TexSkins on Dec 1, 2007 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There is absolutely no indication

that he gave anyone alcohol.

Go Register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Dec 1, 2007 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Overreaction Saturday.

by TexSkins on Dec 1, 2007 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I meant from his

so called thug life that everyone has tied it to.

Cant wait to see how they spin this. But i would agree we shouldnt hold our breath for any apologies.

There are so many scenarios in which this could have been prevented, from his injury to his alarm, and everything in between. So many things came together perfectly for this to take place.

Yeah, it is sickening and senseless.

by Sincethebeginning on Nov 30, 2007 11:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs