Miami prosecutors say a 5th person has been charged in NFL star Sean Taylor's killing

Associated Press

Last update: May 15, 2008 - 1:37 AM

MIAMI - Prosecutors in Miami say a fifth person has been charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor.

Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office spokesman Ed Griffith says Wednesday that 16-year-old Timothy Brown is charged with first-degree murder. He is also charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling.

Griffith says Brown does not yet have an attorney on record with the prosecutor's office.

Taylor died of massive blood loss after he was shot at his Miami-area home during a botched robbery in November. The 24-year-old safety had made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007.

Late Wednesday night, The Miami Herald reported on its Web site that one of the other four suspects charged in the slaying, Venjah Hunte, has pleaded guilty.

Under the plea agreement, Hunte will serve 29 years in prison and cooperate with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed burglary of an occupied dwelling, according to the newspaper.

"He decided he was going to accept responsibility and we worked out an agreement with the state," Hunte's attorney, Michael Hornung, told the newspaper. "Obviously, this is what he wanted to do and he did it."

Brown is being held in Lee County. It's not immediately known when he'll be transferred to Miami-Dade County to face the charge.

Trial for the other four suspects is set for Aug. 25. Prosecutors have said they will not seek the death penalty.

Recent Sports stories

Jefferson glum, mum after loss - May 15, 2008

Jefferson glum, mum after loss - Al Jefferson dressed slowly and silently after Monday's record-tying 146-105 loss at Golden State, the weight of the 41-point defeat seemingly measuring each movement. More