Former Washington Pro Bowl S Sean Taylor would have been 32 years old today.
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The fourth of five men in the fatal robbery and murder of Washington S Sean Taylor pleaded guilty in court today – on what would have been Taylor’s 32nd birthday.
According to the Miami Herald, Charles Wardlow pleaded guilty to charges relating to the burglary and eventual murder of Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor in November 2007. He will serve 30 years in prison.
The prosecution in the case said Wardlow was one of the five men who drove from Fort Myers to break into Taylor’s home at Palmetto Bay in Florida in a search for cash. The five burglars kicked down Taylor’s bedroom door but were caught off guard when Taylor rushed at them while wielding a machete.
One of the burglars, Eric Rivera, shot the then-24-year-old Taylor in the leg – a wound that would cause him to die of blood loss. Rivera was captured by the authorities and last year was convicted of Taylor’s murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison.
The 5th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft, Taylor quickly emerged as one of the hardest-hitting defenders in all of football. From 2004 to 2007 he recorded 299 tackles, 12 INTs, 8 forced fumbles, 2.0 sacks and 2 defensive TDs. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and was posthumously named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in 2007 after his murder. Taylor was added to the Washington Ring of Fame in 2008.
The mastermind of the burglary, Jason Mitchell, was sentenced to life in prison after he was also convicted last year.
Another one of the burglars, Venjah Hunte, pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others, but the prosecutors never called him to testify. Hunte will serve 29 years in prison.
The final defendant, Timmy Brown is still awaiting trial.
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