MIAMI – Trial is about to begin for the alleged shooter in the 2007 slaying of Washington Redskins star safety Sean Taylor during what police say was a botched burglary attempt.
Jury selection is scheduled to start Tuesday for 23-year-old Eric Rivera Jr. Rivera faces life in prison instead of the death penalty because he was only 17 at the time.
Authorities say Taylor was shot while confronting Rivera and others with a machete after they broke into his Miami-area home. Police say the group expected the home to be unoccupied because the Redskins were playing that weekend. Taylor was out with a knee injury.
Four other people faced charges. One has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and will testify against Rivera. Trial for the others on lesser charges comes later.
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