Trial starts for 2nd man in Sean Taylor killing

MIAMI (AP) — Trial has begun in South Florida for a second man accused of taking part in a botched 2007 burglary that ended with the fatal shooting of Washington Redskins star safety Sean Taylor.

Opening statements were set for Tuesday for 25-year-old Jason Mitchell, one of five men from the Fort Myers area charged with murder in the case. The alleged shooter, Eric Rivera Jr., was convicted last fall of second-degree murder and sentenced to 57 years behind bars.

Evidence in Rivera’s trial showed Taylor was fatally shot after confronting the would-be burglars in his home. Investigators say the group thought Taylor was out of town.

Two other men await trial. One has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and burglary.

Taylor was Pro Bowl safety who also starred at the University of Miami.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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