Lawyer for alleged gunman in Taylor case wants plea deal

 

MIAMI (AP) -The lawyer for the 17-year-old accused gunman in the killing of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor wants to reach a plea deal.
Sawyer Smith, who along with his father Wilbur is representing Eric Rivera, said Wednesday his client was admitting no wrongdoing yet but was eager to discuss the possibility of reaching an agreement with prosecutors.
“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.
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.