4 Charged With Murder In Taylor's Death

Cops: Shooting Was Not Planned, Suspects Thought NFL Star's House Was Empty

(AP)  Richard Sharpstein, Taylor's former attorney, said he had not spoken with the victim's family regarding Friday's arrests, but said he doubted they provided any comfort.

"I know they are just saddened and appalled. The fact that they arrested his killer is no comfort to them," he said. "It probably inflames them more, because it tells them people were trying to steal from him. They are murderers. They should be treated like murderers and put in the Miami River and floated away."

The 24-year-old Pro Bowl player died Tuesday, one day after being shot at his home in an affluent Miami suburb during what officials said appeared to be an attempted burglary.

Police have been investigating a possible link to a Nov. 17 break-in at Taylor's home, during which they said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.

"We're looking into whether or not one or more of the individuals had been at the residence before," Parker said.

The Miami Herald reported that Mitchell and Wardlow had connections to Taylor. Mitchell cut Taylor's lawn and did other chores at the house, Mitchell's twin brother, Scottie, told the paper. Taylor's sister, Sasha Johnson, dates Wardlow's older cousin Christopher, and Scottie Mitchell told the paper the couple invited Jason Mitchell to Johnson's birthday party within the past two months.

A woman who identified herself as Jason Mitchell's mother told the Naples Daily News her son was at a birthday party at Sean Taylor's home a couple months ago. She also said her son was at home all week and last weekend.

"I don't know where he's at, I don't know why he's being held," she told the Naples paper. "No parent should see this happen to their child."

O'Brien would not confirm the reports when contacted by The Associated Press.

Taylor and his longtime girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, were awakened early Monday by loud noises at his home in an affluent Miami suburb. Taylor grabbed a machete he kept in the bedroom for protection, Sharpstein said. Someone broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor in the upper leg. Neither the couple's 18-month-old daughter, also named Jackie, nor Garcia were injured.

The bullet damaged the femoral artery in Taylor's leg, causing significant blood loss. Taylor never regained consciousness and died a little more than 24 hours later.

"They targeted him for his wealth," Sharpstein said. "It makes his death even more pathetic, unnecessary and just actually disgusting."

A public viewing for Taylor is scheduled Sunday in Miami, and the entire Redskins organization plans to fly to Florida to attend Monday's funeral at Pharmed Arena at Florida International University.

The Redskins also announced that fans attending Sunday's game will receive a towel with Taylor's No. 21 jersey on it, and his name will be displayed prominently in an end zone.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder said the team will contribute a minimum of $500,000 to a fund to benefit Taylor's daughter, and he released a statement late Friday acknowledging the arrests.

"This is another step, but not a conclusion, in a very personal and painful tragedy," he said. "I also want to thank everyone who has joined us in mourning the loss of Sean. People from all over the world contacted the Redskins to share our grief and offer their prayers for Sean and his family. We will never forget the courage his family, especially Jackie, Pete and Donna, have shown. Their composure has been a source of strength for us all."

[junogoose]

kailumego1,
Spend a couple of months in a genuine American ghetto, then get back to us. I''d like to see what ''false'' impressions of crime demographics you come back with.

[sanonpad]

Hungry1968 Thank You! Why did they bring a gun if they didn''t intend to shoot anyone. I could see a crowbar. I am sick of these lawyers. These young guys brought the gun to use as a threat or to quiet anyone who may stand in the way.

[tashx001]

all this banter about race''s importance is moot. the color of your skin has nothing to do with anything you do. it''s the culture you were raised in that influences your actions. rap and all the subgenres associated with it that glorify crime and deviance happen to have statistically black audiences, and it''s fact that the music you listen to has a profound effect upon your psyche.

[gunownerdan]

hungry1968,
Jesse Jackson is blaming the gun, it''s a lot easier than holding the killers responsible for their own actions.

[hungry1968]

I wonder if Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are on their way to Florida to organize rallies and protest the arrests of these "poor unfortunate individuals". I''m sure that they''ll scream that the police are doing something wrong like, racial profiling.

[hungry1968]

"Cops: Shooting Was Not Planned, Suspects Thought NFL Star''s House Was Empty"



Then why did they bring a gun?

[edward1975-2009]

And no one can put together that Taylor was affiliated with less than lawful people before the birth of his daughter and had been trying to get away from them. And that his house had been targeted 8 days prior. A close friend of Taylors plays for the Arizona Cardinals, his last name is Rolles, said earlier in the week that these people had been targeting Taylor for the last three years, because he was trying to get out of the "life". And still people think this was a random act of violence. May he rest in peace, and may his family and friends find strength in their faith.

[gunownerdan]

If only Sean had a shotgun and not a machete.
He would have had a much better chance.
When confronting intruders or other dangerous criminals, you are going to need more than a big knife.
Killers will always prefer unarmed victims.
Get trained and get prepared.
Today there are many new options to safely store a loaded firearm in the home.
Self defense is the most basic of human rights.
www.a-human-right.com

[down-ndirty]

Clearly CBS doesn''''t want you to know the race of the suspects as CBS is just oh so "sensitive.".
You have a right to know.
Posted by MichaelT302 at 10:10 AM : Dec 01, 2007
------------

CBS didn''t write this story...the Associated Press wrote it. Don''t let your bias control your ability to reason.

[johnshaft4]

Premeditated or not, murder is murder. Swiftly execute these home invading vermin.

[whatithink-2009]

Keithle1,

The only possible reason to need to show a picture of the suspect is so you can decide whether to have sympathy or contempt with the suspect. As many suspects end up being innocent of a crime, this also doesn''t make any sense. Only in the warped brain of the racially challenged would this make any sense.

What value does posting a picture of the suspect provide?

[prinzowhales]

The Alex Jones Show on KLBJ--At prisonplanet.com and on youtube there is video of Romney supporters being allowed to vote up to 15 times when Dr. Paul was ahead 2 to 1 in St Petersburg Florida. Even a five year old was allowed to vote multiple times...Even the ST PETERSBURG TIMES noted it. This kind of thievery was allowed for Nit Romney--Frack him, Frack his supporters!

[keithle1]

Should be standard procedure for all media outlets to show photos of the suspects.

[keithle1]

nameverify makes a good point.

How many black men did the KKK kill at the peak of its power? Compare that to the staggering number of black men that have been killed by other black men.
Day after day after day.

Black men don''t need to worry about the KKK/nazis/skinheads or even the police killing them.

The enemy of the black man IS the black man.

[cutebig]

We are discussing this at the forum of largeplace.com. Let him rest in peace. Hope this could be resolved soon.

[chitown639]

I can''t believe that you guys are filled with so much hatred for blacks that you would celebrate every moment of their suffering. You seem to relish in the fact that there''s a high percent of black on black crime. You seem to be filled with pride when there''e another example of a black crimmal in the news to support your degrading theory of African-Americans. I don''t understand your hatred. Why do you hate the black man so much? What has he done to you and your people? Did he refuse to fight in any of America''s wars? No, the black man''s blood has been shed in every American war!!! Did the black man not play a role in transforming this country from a obsure backwater outpost to the most powerful and influencial government in the history of mankind? No, the black man help build this great nation!!! This country has reaped the benefits of free labor off the backs of the black man for hundreds of years. Often doing the most back breaking, dirtious and dangerous work. Perhaps the black man was responsible for the deaths of millions whites? No, black on white crime is very low. Although, the slave trade killed a extimated 20 million blacks. And in the years after slavery, thousands of blacks were lynched, many times just for fun. No, blacks don''t usually kill whites. So tell me, why are you the one''s filled with so much hatred.

[bhappy2-2]

The same re/**** said, "I sleep lightly and there is a gun within reach even when I am asleep."

I do hope that you don''''t have kids. If you do, I feel sorry for them. Maybe they''''ll have the classic "short but happy life". At least that''''s SOME consolation.

Posted by GladImNotOJ at 11:16 PM : Nov 30, 2007
+ report abuse
bhappy2-2: "Well, if that''''s the case ... but I will also be ALIVE!"

Wrong! Next contestant. (See my previous post.)

Posted by GladImNotOJ

Why are you so worried about MY guns? Are you one of those CRIMINALS who want to attack UNARMED CITIZENS? If you aren''t a CRIMINAL you have nothing to fear from MY GUNS! So, STOP YOUR ******** and QUIT TELLING ME WHAT I NEED TO DO. Yes, I have kids. They ALL know how to properly and safely handle firearms.

If you are packing, you are NOT invited to my home. Your kids may NOT play with my kids. Stay out of my church, school, grocery store, doctors office, etc. Post signs on your home warning everyone to stay away, for their own safety. Let the mailman and the meter reader know that you''''re a dangerous paranoid lunatic, so they don''''t get "accidently" shot.

See you in the newspapers.

Posted by GladImNotOJ

WHO THE ******* YOU TO TELL ME WHERE I CAN AND CANNOT GO? IF YOU DON''T WANT TO BE AROUND MY GUNS DON''T GO WHERE I GO.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by nameverify at 06:29 PM : Dec 01, 2007


with all ''due'' respect, you need to "put a sock in it" and go back to read the posts from the beginning. Don''t make me sorry that I spoke up for you.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by kailumego1 at 06:21 PM : Dec 01, 2007


I will take your words at face value but it did appear that you were "Jumping his case for daring to criticise Blacks" which prompted my response. I will watch him in the future and see what the long term devulges. You have a nice evening.

[kailumego1]

ToolMangler, I''m not disputing that, I think you''re missing the point of my argument, which states his reasoning for posting what the black sports writer stated was not benign, but apart of the malignant racist ideology a lot of white folks have garnered.

I''m quite sure this black sports writer intended it to be a "stern message" to black communities, e.g. black folks everywhere, that it isn''t white folks brining black communities down but blacks themselves, which is 100% CORRECT..

Spike Lee vehemently stated it in his movie "Tales from the Hood", which couldn''t have been more poignant, but nameverify''s reason for including this comment is purely circumspect and egomanical, and not with the best intentions..

There are some white folks that love to take "out of context" statements made by blacks to serve as there own "weapon" or tool of degradation..

I agree totally with this black writer, because I know his heart is in the right place, but nameverify, never, his only intention was to wrench the knife a little deeper and celebrate black self-degradation.