MIAMI -- The 17-year-old suspect in the death of Sean Taylor was accused Tuesday of firing the shot that killed the Washington Redskins safety.
A Miami-Dade grand jury identified Eric Rivera as the gunman in its indictment.
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| Jason Mitchell (left), Charles Wardlow (center) and Venjah Hunte appear before a judge via video link. (AP) |
Charles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20; were ordered held without bail during brief court appearances via a videoconference from Miami-Dade County jail. The three, who stood silently during the hearing, will remain at the jail under suicide watch after Judge John Thornton Jr.'s ruling.
Rivera was being transported from Fort Myers to Miami-Dade on Tuesday night and will make a court appearance Wednesday morning. One of his attorneys said the grand jury's identification of Rivera as the gunman was expected.
"This does not come as a surprise," said Sawyer Smith, who along with his father Wilbur represents Rivera.
The 24-year-old Taylor died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot in the bedroom of his home. Police have said he was a victim of a botched burglary.
"I think he's in disbelief over what occurred," said Wilbur Smith. "His expression to me was that 'I can't believe this kind of thing happened."'
Asked how he would defend his client, Wilbur Smith said simply: "Stay tuned."
Attorneys said the four young men were agitated.
"He's very distraught," said Hunte's attorney, Michael Hornung. "He's scared."
Hornung offered glimpses of his client's possible involvement. He said Hunte was the only suspect with a valid driver's license and behind the wheel at least part of the time. He said Hunte did not have a gun and did not know his friends' plans.
"Just a bunch of friends that evening said they were going to the East Coast, and he went along," Hornung said. "He had no idea whatsoever what was going on."
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