Justice delayed may be justice denied. But justice continues to arrive for Sean Taylor.
Via David Ovalle of the Miami Herald, Jason S. Mitchell has been convicted of first-degree murder and armed burglary in connection with the shooting death of Taylor in November 2007.
Prosecutors alleged, and a jury believed after more than three hours of deliberation, that Mitchell was the mastermind of the plot to rob Taylor’s home. Judge Dennis Murphy sentenced Mitchell to life in prison, the mandatory term for first-degree murder.
Eric Rivera, the alleged shooter, previously was convicted of second-degree murder. While a jury was unable to determine unanimously that Rivera pulled the trigger, Rivera will spend nearly 60 years in prison.
Also awaiting trial are 24-year-old Charles Wardlow and 22-year-old Timmy Brown. 26-year-old Venjah Hunte already has pleaded guilty.
“I’m pleased with the verdict,” Pedro Taylor, Florida City police chief and father of Sean Taylor, said. “Still got two more to go.”
Taylor was shot in the leg, puncturing the femoral artery. He was only 24.