• Font Size    
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Judge Considers Sealing Information In Taylor Case

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Jan 6, 2008 11:43 am US/Eastern

Judge Considers Sealing Information In Taylor Case

Memorial Service For Sean Taylor

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Lawyers involved in the murder case of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor will head back into the courtroom this week.

Tuesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy will listen to arguments over whether remarks in the case should be sealed.

Last month, Murphy expressed concern that too much investigative material was finding its way into the media and said he was considering issuing a gag order on the lawyers in order to ensure a fair trial.

Prosecutors want to hold back any part of four co-defendants' statements in which they potentially discuss their involvement in the killing. But David Brener, who represents suspect Charles Wardlow, plans to ask Murphy to prevent the State Attorneys Office from providing any of the defendants' statements when evidence is released to the media.

"There's a tremendous amount of information that's out there already," said. "It's unfair."

Normally most investigative material becomes public under Florida law once it is given to defense attorneys.
In December an attorney for one of four suspects charged with killing Taylor said he was talks with prosecutors about a plea agreement.

Michael Hornung, who represents Venjah Hunte, said his client has maintained throughout that he was not aware that anyone had a weapon when they arrived at Taylor's Miami home or that violence would occur, and that he was not inside the home when Taylor was shot November 26th. Taylor died the following day.

"He has said from the very beginning that he wants to accept responsibility for his limited role," Hornung said. "He is willing to cooperate and to speak truthfully about that."

All four suspects have pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree felony murder and armed burglary.
Murphy set an April 7 trial date, but indicated that might be delayed.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

© MMIX, CBS Television Stations Inc. All Rights Reserved.