17-Year-Old Accused Of Being Taylor Gunman

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.

"He's very distraught," said Hunte's attorney, Michael Hornung. "He's scared."

Hunte is cooperating with police, his attorney said, and would tell them everything he knows.

"My client had no knowledge whatsoever where they were going," Hornburg told CBS News station WFOR-TV news partner The Miami Herald. ''When you're at a place and you hear two gunshots and you didn't even know anyone brought a gun, you're going to be scared.''

"It's an indescribable tragedy for the Taylor family, and it's a tragedy for the families of these other young men because their lives are down the tube," Smith said, according to WFOR.

Richard Sharpstein, Taylor's former attorney, said the athlete's family was grateful for police and prosecutors' work, but that it did little to lessen their loss.

"They're still grieving and no amount of justice could ever replace Sean to them," Sharpstein said. "However, they'll support this prosecution and wish the state attorney best in achieving the most severe punishment to these people."