Dec 1, 2007 10:33 am US/Eastern
Taylor's Death, Says Friend "A Matter Of Wealth"
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Sean Taylor during a Washington Redskins practice
WASHINGTON REDSKINS/CBS
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Charles Kendrick Wardlow is 18-years-old.
CBS
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Venjah K. Hunte is 20-years-old.
CBS
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Eric Rivera Jr. 17, is the youngest suspect in the group.
CBS
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Jason Scott Mitchell, 19, is accused of being involved in the burglary that resulted in Sean Taylor's death.
CBS
The family of slain Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor will get little comfort from the arrest of four suspects, a family friend said Saturday morning, particularly since it appeared the killing happened because of greed.
"They targeted him for his wealth," said Richard Sharpstein, Taylor's former attorney. "It makes his death even more pathetic, unnecessary and just actually disgusting."
Police arrested four people Friday in connection with Taylor's shooting death, saying they went to the home intent on committing a burglary, not killing.
The suspects didn't expect Taylor to be there, said Miami-Dade County Police Director Robert Parker, but the Redskins safety was recuperating from a knee injury and had returned from Washington.
When Taylor surprised them, he was shot.
"They were certainly not looking to go there and kill anyone," Parker said. "They were expecting a residence that was not occupied. So murder or shooting someone was not their initial motive."
Police spokeswoman Linda O'Brien identified the suspects as: Venjah K. Hunte, 20; Eric Rivera Jr., 17; Jason Scott Mitchell, 19; and Charles Kendrick Lee Wardlow, 18. O'Brien said the charges for each had not yet been determined, but "we are talking murder and burglary."
Authorities had more than one confession, but Parker would not elaborate.
The four were arrested Friday in southwest Florida, about 100 miles from Miami.
Sharpstein had not spoken with Taylor's family regarding Friday's arrests, but said he doubted they provided any comfort.
"I know they are just saddened and appalled. The fact that they arrested his killer is no comfort to them," he said. "It probably inflames them more, because it tells them people were trying to steal from him.
"They are murderers. They should be treated like murderers and put in the Miami River and floated away."
Police have been investigating a possible link to a Nov. 17 break-in at Taylor's home, during which they said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.
"We're looking into whether or not one or more of the individuals had been at the residence before," Parker said.
CBS4 news partners The Miami Herald reported that Mitchell and Wardlow had connections to Taylor. Mitchell cut Taylor's lawn and did other chores at the house, Mitchell's twin brother, Scottie, told the paper.
Taylor's sister, Sasha Johnson, reportedly knew Wardlow's older cousin Christopher, and Scottie Mitchell told the paper the couple invited Jason Mitchell to Johnson's birthday party within the past two months.
A woman who identified herself as Jason Mitchell's mother told the Naples Daily News her son was at a birthday party at Sean Taylor's home a couple months ago. She also said her son was at home all week and last weekend.
The entire Redskins organization plans to fly to Florida to attend Monday's funeral.
The Redskins also announced that fans attending Sunday's game will receive a towel with Taylor's No. 21 jersey on it, and his name will be displayed prominently in an end zone.
Redskins owner Dan Snyder said the team will contribute a minimum of $500,000 to a fund to benefit Taylor's daughter, and he released a statement late Friday acknowledging the arrests.
"This is another step, but not a conclusion, in a very personal and painful tragedy," he said. "I also want to thank everyone who has joined us in mourning the loss of Sean. People from all over the world contacted the Redskins to share our grief and offer their prayers for Sean and his family. We will never forget the courage his family, especially Jackie, Pete and Donna, have shown. Their composure has been a source of strength for us all."
A public viewing for Taylor is scheduled Sunday in Miami. Monday's funeral will be at Pharmed Arena at Florida International University. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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