Posted May 14, 2008

Prosecutors in the Sean Taylor murder case said Monday they will not seek the death penalty against four people charged with murdering Washington Redskins player because the accused killer was under 18 when the shooting occurred.

According to the Associated Press, Assistant State Attorney Reid Rubin filed notice Friday that the death penalty will be waived. The result is that the four suspects could get a maximum of life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. Their trial is scheduled to begin August 25.

Eric Rivera Jr., who turned 18 last month, was 17 at the time police say he shot Taylor during a botched robbery at the footbal star's Miami-area home in November 2007. The 24-year-old Redskins safty was shot in the upper leg and died of massive blood loss.

"All the co-defendants can't be subject to the death penalty if the (alleged) shooter is not," said Richard Sharpstein, lawyer and spokesman for the Taylor family. "There are no issues of discretion here. There's no choice."