Celebrity Justice
Football Horror: Three Charged in Taylor Murder

Three of the four suspects in Sean Taylor's death were charged with unpremeditated murder early Saturday. Charles Wardlow, Eric Rivera and Venjah Hunte all faced the same charge. Police say the killing of Taylor was unplanned. The fourth suspect was arrested but has not yet been charged.


Miami-Dade Police Department spokeswoman Linda O'Brien identified the men as: Eric Rivera Jr., 17, Venjah K. Hunte, 20, Jason Scott Mitchell, 19 and Charles Kendrick Lee Wardlow, 18.

Miami-Dade County Police Director Robert Parker said the suspects didn't expect Taylor to be home when they broke into his home Monday morning. The NFL Pro Bowler surprised them and was fatally shot. The suspects -- all of whom have prior arrests -- are expected to make their first appearance in a Fort Myers courtroom sometime today.



Tags: sean taylor, SeanTaylor

Reader Comments

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31. you know, it doesn't matter what color you are if you a human being this could have happened to you, i mean say if you just got your income tax, your home chillin' you and you girl are getting ready to turn in, now you got about 6000 on you your girl got her income tax she has 4000 and you guys put the money up, let's say someplace in the house. then bam your door has been kicked in , now these people have guns, ak's and want everything you have that's expendable, what do you do, try to be the hero or give them what they want. you tell me because bullets don't know colors.

Posted at 1:35PM on Dec 1st 2007 by 1sexygirl

32. Burn in hell, murderers! I just went and paid my respects this morning at the memorial at Redskins Park. I hope these guys fry. I have no sympathy for killers. They don't deserve a humane life OR death!

Posted at 1:36PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Kayaker

33. I don't know why... but when I first heard about this a few days ago... it reminded me of when MJ lost his dad to those 2 young punks.... do you all remember that? A totally senseless murder just to get his money. I remember Mike after winning the championship just collapsing on the floor and crying. It was like this, why kill the man why?? Take what you want, and let him go. Why ruin his life, and all the people who loved him. I am not afraid to admit I cried when MJ cried that day, and I am tearing up right now...(I am a 47 yr. old)

PLEASE STOP THE SENSELESS MURDERS OUT THERE PEOPLE, JUST STOP IT!

Posted at 1:52PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Monte

34. Lets not all jump to conclusions yet.First,what makes you think these boys did it?.I have alot of education,and a very good judge of character.Just looking into the eyes of these boys,I can see there innocent.Please dont pre -judge..I really do hope the police find the true killers of the football player.But please,dont put these innocent boys on trial yet.Just take the time to really look deep into their eyes.and you will see the truth like I do..Please Police.....Catch the right killer or killers.and let these boys go...Thank-you

Posted at 1:49PM on Dec 1st 2007 by WhoMe?

35. I am sure these fine gentlemen will serve their time and repay their debt to society. Upon release I am sure one of them may just cure cancer, or start a charity group devoting his life to the service of others. Oh, my bad, I was dreaming. All of them under age 21, I certainly do not want any of them on the streets again, and I do not like the idea of us having to provide 3 hots and a cot for the rest of their lives. Prison for them would be like a masters program in crime at Harvard. The DA has confessions, so the penalty is clear, all of them should be put to death. Sometimes you have to cull the herd. Breaking into someones home to rob them with a gun? I am starting to understand the mentality of that guy in Texas that shot the burglars a fe weeks ago while talking to 911. Time for all those thugs to explain themsleves to their makers not a jury. Taylor lifted himself out of rough life through his athletic skills and hard work, and what happens, four of his own take his life. Insane, almost as crazy as the amount of money wasted on a trial, the amount of money generated by the press, and the movie and books sure to come. So much for brotherhood and holiday spirit. RIP Sean Taylor.

Posted at 1:49PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Average Joe

36. NFL Sucks - you're an ignorant racist. Most people with money flaunt it - white or black.

Sean Taylor worked hard for the money he had. He had a new wife, and a new baby. Who wouldn't go all out spending in that situation? You insinuating that Mr. Taylor brought on his own death is despicable. BESIDES, it wasn't even Taylor out bragging about what he owned - it was someone else.

You're disturbed. Seek help - immediately.

Posted at 1:49PM on Dec 1st 2007 by blue eyed dude

37. I hope they burn in hell.

Posted at 1:53PM on Dec 1st 2007 by PIG

38. Ha, these kids are going to rot in hell...These people were arrested in my home town...they just threw their life away. Stupid stupid boys.

Posted at 10:50AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by Cristia

39. most white people dont flaunt their money like the black folks,just lok at ricky hatton and floyd mayweather (boxers),if you dont know who or what im talking about just look at hbo 24/7,and you will see who really flaunts,its real obvious the black folks.....

Posted at 2:00PM on Dec 1st 2007 by VAN-HALEN ROCKS

40. #38 LMAO!!

You have "alot of education"?! That has to be the funniest thing I've read all day considering how your post is full of typos and grammatical errors. Good one. =)

We should make an example out of these losers. Public/televised executions. Oh hell yeah.

Posted at 2:00PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Oh HELL No

41. I think that instaed of everyone making all of thesebsilly comments right now we should focus on the important factor that Sean is gone!!! I mean no one can bring him back and no it doesn't men you bought death on yourself because of your life style when you legally make money to support yourself. If my bank account is millions deep then I'm not going to look like an ignorant low class by over spending but my income would be a reflction of my life style so for anyone to make a comment that someone should feel bad for living a life that they have worked hard to live is purely just talking to hear themsleves speak and yes he had a very nice house but it wasn't even a Oprah status home or fifty cent for that matter and we haven't heard about anybody breaking in and killing them or almost killing them so the point I am making is that it isn't the person making the money that's the problem it's the ones that won't get out and make it happen but instead would rather take the easy route and take what someone else has earned!! It isn't a black thing it's actually an ignorant thing. They have just as many white people out here robbing and killing as they do blacks. You just don't see them in the headlines as much because the media publicizes on black on black crime. You can agree to disagree that would be fine with me but at the end of the day what will our difference in opinon solve. We whould all come up with away to make our opinions count in a positive way..

Posted at 1:25AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by Champion

42. I didn't think you could release the names of minors.

Is TMZ now changing the law????

confuzled.

Posted at 2:04PM on Dec 1st 2007 by mike

43. please forgive me but i'm an old man but are these guys "home boys"?

Posted at 2:09PM on Dec 1st 2007 by la la land

44. And to Van Halen Rocks. My comment to you is that you should educate yourself on culture before you make rascist remarks. It isn't that white people don't flaunt what they have but simple that they've always been able to obtain material things qiucker then blacks so when you accustomed to having things why would you. Blacks have been kept down for decades first with education then with credit and employment so when they accuire the same goods as a white person they feel compelled to try and measure up. It's as simple as a parent who's kept a child from something for periods of time. Once that child gets a taste of what they've been kept from they sometimes go crazy and that is exactly what's going on now. I mean who would have thought you would see the day T.i someone who's a convicted felon could live in a house as big as just say Idon't know but a Bill Clinton. I mean anyone with common sense may be disgusted with some of the things going on but at the end of the day it points back to the one who'c kept a race of people from excelling at every point possible ( which would be the white man) and now they are like animals being let out of a cage. You can't tame them. I mean african americans make up 70% or more in football, basketball and then we even got Tigger Woods in golf now who's one of the best in the sport so let this be your lesson that instead of making an ignorant comment about what white people don't do make comments about what they have did and all of the profiling and everything else they have contributed to making the world as messed up as it is today.

Posted at 1:23AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by Champion

45. "Please don't hate and judge me and my children without first knowing us" isn't working, so you can all rot. I think moral cleansing is in order. Passivity's for pansies.

I think it's time that we get every racist (of every color) and deny them the rights to vote, learn, and walk where they want. Then, we should drag them around behind our trucks, right before we hang them from trees while their families watch.

NO MORE PASSIVITY, DOWN WITH THE MORALLY HANDICAPPED

Posted at 2:13PM on Dec 1st 2007 by FIGHT

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