WOW Taylor could really be in some trouble.

[Atlas]

He turns down a plea agreement that would send him to jail for three years!! The prosecution must believe they have a pretty strong case here.

Taylor scheduled to be in court Sept. 12By Len Fatsquarelli
ESPN.com


Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor on Tuesday rejected a plea agreement in Miami that would have included a three-year prison term.


Taylor

The second-year veteran, charged with felony assault and misdemeanor battery stemming from an alleged June 1 altercation, faces a maximum of 16 years in prison if convicted of both charges. Taylor is free to travel within the United States, and, thus, to report to the Redskins' training camp as he defends himself against the charges.

Players under contract are to report to camp July 31 with the first on-field practice set for the following afternoon.

The plea offer came during a hearing in the courtroom of Judge Mary Barzee in a short sesion during which Taylor did not speak. Miami-Dade assistant district attorney Mike Grieco said there was no latitude in the plea-bargain offer because the charges carry three years as the minimum sentence.

Grieco said that he did not object to the defense request for Taylor to be able to travel because he does not regard the former University of Miami star as a flight risk. "He is a national figure," Grieco said. "So I am not concerned."

Taylor's attorney, Edward Carhart, said his client never considered the plea deal. He reiterated that he expects Taylor to be exonerated. A conviction, and three years of jail time, would jeopardize Taylor's promising career.

Barzee confirmed a Sept. 12 trial date in the case, but Carhart almost certainly will ask that it be continued, likely until after the 2005 season. The Sept. 12 date comes just one day after the Redskins face the Chicago Bears in the regular-season opener.

In a separate courtroom on Tuesday, Charles Caughman, who was alleged to have been with Taylor on June and who also faces a felony assault charge, likewise refused a plea offer. Caughman would have had the felony charge either dropped or reduced in return for his cooperation with the prosecution. Such a deal would have forced him to testify against Taylor. Caughman has a trial date of Oct. 3.

Taylor, 22, was the fifth overall player chosen in the 2004 draft and was a starter in 13 games as a rookie, finishing with 89 tackles and four interceptions. He skipped all of the team's offseason program prior to the alleged June 1 incident, did not return any phone messages from head coach Joe Gibbs, and there were rumors that he was seeking to have his contract reworked.

After charges were filed, Gibbs excused Taylor from the remainder of the scheduled workouts, including a mandatory June mini-camp, but said he expected the free safety to be in training camp on time. Team officials have closely examined Taylor's seven-year, $18 million contract because they could seek repayment of some bonuses, or withhold payments due him, if he misses playing time because of a conviction.

The contract, which has a maximum value of $40 million with incentives, does include "default language" that would permit readjustments for time missed.

Taylor turned himself in June 4 following a three-day search for him. The alleged incident is said to have occurred when Taylor engaged in an argument over two vehicles he said were stolen from him. The incident has brought scrutiny from the league, and Taylor could fall under the purview of the NFL's personal conduct policy, which could bring a fine or suspension.

[-Slap-]

I mean, a really don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell that he'll be convicted, but this has got to be a eye-opener. If this kid squeaks his way out of this one and he isn't a changed man, then he's hopeless.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

3 years was the minimum sentence for this crime, the DA couldn't have offered him anything less.

[Nuggets4]

Unfortunately, I think Slap hit the nail on the head. He won't see a day in prison.

[MT-Tdawg]

12 game suspension. Please please please.

[Kaylore]

12 game suspension. Please please please.
Good point. The league hasn't made a move, though likely they won't until a ruling is finalized.

[baja]

And they won't until he is convicted

[Atlas]

I mean, a really don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell that he'll be convicted, but this has got to be a eye-opener. If this kid squeaks his way out of this one and he isn't a changed man, then he's hopeless.


You never know. It's all up to the jury. Afterall he doesn't play for the Dolphins or anything.

[SoCalBronco]

Update from PFT.

TAYLOR TO STAND TRIAL



To no surprise, Redskins safety Sean Taylor rejected a plea deal that would have involved a jail term of three years.



To some surprise, Taylor's co-defendant told the prosecution to get bent in response to an offer that would have enabled Charles Edward Caughman to plead guilty to a lesser charge and testify for the prosecution against Taylor.



"We're steadfast on Charles' innocence," said Caughman's lawyer, Evan Hoffmann. "Charles is a pawn that the state has been trying to use to get the top dog in this case, which is Sean. The state pursued the most severe charge possible in hopes of getting Charles to plead to a lesser charge. That didn't happen. Now that we've seen the state's cards, it will be interesting to see where its case goes from here."



The cases against Taylor and Caughman could now be consolidated for trial, which would bump Taylor's September 12 date to October 3, the day on which Caughman's trial is scheduled to begin. Taylor's lawyer is expected to request that the trial be postponed until the end of the 2005 season.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I'd be shocked if he ever sees the inside of a jailhouse...rich...star athlete...do the math. If you can't get O.J. or Jacko, who can you get? It's all about how much justice you can afford. My guess is he can afford plenty.

[illbroncsfn]

You know I really was pulling to see this man or his Miami counterpart Winslow in a Broncos uniform during last years draft- of course there was a miniscule chance either Taylor or Winslow would have been Broncos-having said this, man I am glad we got D.J. instead of these knuckleheads...

[Florida_Bronco]

I stand by the fact that Florida will make an example of him, they don't fool around with crimes involving guns here...generally.

[SoCalBronco]

I stand by the fact that Florida will make an example of him, they don't fool around with crimes involving guns here...generally.

Yep. That is what i have heard. If thats so, so be it. He brought it on himself. If he can get out of this, he should thank his lucky stars and make a concerted effort to hang out with different people. Even Antrel Rolle has criticized him for the kind of people he hangs out with and how they are a bad influence on him. He needs to just start his life over in Virginia and just stay there and do his thing. That would be whats best for him.

[Play2win]

If this is done properly, they could set a precedent here, that Pro Athletes are NOT above the law...

[Play2win]

If this is done properly, they could set a precedent here, that Pro Athletes are NOT above the law...
If he IS Guilty (OF COURSE!!!)

[SoCalBronco]

If this is done properly, they could set a precedent here, that Pro Athletes are NOT above the law...

If they could convict him, yes, that might restore some of the public's confidence in the system's impartiality.

[Florida_Bronco]

Yep. That is what i have heard. If thats so, so be it. He brought it on himself. If he can get out of this, he should thank his lucky stars and make a concerted effort to hang out with different people. Even Antrel Rolle has criticized him for the kind of people he hangs out with and how they are a bad influence on him. He needs to just start his life over in Virginia and just stay there and do his thing. That would be whats best for him.

Yep I agree. As much as I'd like to see our justice system show that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law, the inner good in me would like to see him get a slap on the rest and straighten himself out. If he's not going to straighten up, send him away.

[-Slap-]

If they could convict him, yes, that might restore some of the public's confidence in the system's impartiality.
It will restore my confidence in the blind hog finding an acorn maxim. The Jayson Williams case is the one that makes me want to scream.

Williams:
Got drunk
Began screwing around with a shotgun
Started verbally abusing an innocent limo driver to the delight of his scumbag friends
Blew the man in half with a shotgun
Hid and destroyed evidence
Lied to the police
Conspired with others to lie to the police
Had a history of violence
Had a history of reckless use of firearms

His penalty:
Nothing

By the way, this miserable piece of trash has talked about a comeback. There's no doubt in my mind that many teams would welcome him back with open arms.

[SoCalBronco]

It will restore my confidence in the blind hog finding an acorn maxim. The Jayson Williams case is the one that makes me want to scream.

Williams:
Got drunk
Began screwing around with a shotgun
Started verbally abusing an innocent limo driver to the delight of his scumbag friends
Blew the man in half with a shotgun
Hid and destroyed evidence
Lied to the police
Conspired with others to lie to the police
Had a history of violence
Had a history of reckless use of firearms

His penalty:
Nothing

By the way, this miserable piece of trash has talked about a comeback. There's no doubt in my mind that many teams would welcome him back with open arms.

That's about as bad as it gets. We obviously cant make up for all the reasons why people have become jaded about the evenhandedness of the system but assuming Taylor did these things, if they could nail him, in his own backyard it would at least help to begin building some confidence back in the system.
The Jayson Williams thing was pretty horrific though, no doubt.

[-Slap-]

Yep I agree. As much as I'd like to see our justice system show that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law, the inner good in me would like to see him get a slap on the rest and straighten himself out. If he's not going to straighten up, send him away.

As far as I'm concerned, Sean and Pacman, and every other one of these headstrong assholes, can go explore exciting careers as recidivist criminals. The NFL has gotten along just great without these thugs for over eight decades.

[sirhcyennek81]

Sean Taylor obviously came to this decision by studying the legal system, with study habits he learned at Miami...oh...wait...

[watermock]

Typical stupidity. You know this clown had a cell phone. Call 911 have the call transfered to the Police. I don't doubt they were his horses so to speak, but that still remains totally unclear. However, the days of shooting horse thieves ended 100 years ago. I think alot if it comes from this gansta mentality they carry on their shoulders.

Don't EVEN tell me he didn't have insurance on them. No doubt, he didn't even have a lock on the trailer, so they just hooked it up and drove away. The Judge is under absolutely no obligation to continue a felony weapons charge so Sean can "go about his business". Would I get a continuance so I can get in my crop this fall? Get real.

I hope they lump both cases together October 2. Watch them rat on each other.

[Nuggets4]

It will restore my confidence in the blind hog finding an acorn maxim. The Jayson Williams case is the one that makes me want to scream.

Williams:
Got drunk
Began screwing around with a shotgun
Started verbally abusing an innocent limo driver to the delight of his scumbag friends
Blew the man in half with a shotgun
Hid and destroyed evidence
Lied to the police
Conspired with others to lie to the police
Had a history of violence
Had a history of reckless use of firearms

His penalty:
Nothing

By the way, this miserable piece of trash has talked about a comeback. There's no doubt in my mind that many teams would welcome him back with open arms.

Don't forget his history of animal abuse either.

I used to love Jayson Williams. I had his autobiography. He was the type of player I was in basketball (defense, rebounds, occasionally very little offense). He was hilarious. Then all of these stories started to come out, then the crime, and it just broke my heart.

It's a shame he's such an asshole because he had such great charisma with fans and reporters.

[Atlas]

This article is very interesting. It seems the person that was with Taylor might agree to a plea bargin and testify against Taylor. This could be bad for him. If I was Taylor I would be offering big bucks to him not to. It would be money well spent.

Co-Defendant In Taylor Case Is Considering A Plea Deal


Tuesday, July 12, 2005; Page E02

The co-defendant in the criminal case involving Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor planned to decide by today whether to testify against Taylor as part of a plea deal with the Miami-Dade state attorney's office, according to his attorney.

Ongoing discussions about a possible plea deal necessitated the second postponement of a preliminary hearing for Charles Elwood Caughman yesterday in Miami. The hearing was moved to this morning, and is expected to take place shortly before a preliminary hearing for Taylor in a separate courtroom of the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building.

Evan Hoffman , Caughman's attorney, said his client was considering all options, including going to trial and accepting a plea deal that would not involve being added to the prosecution's witness list in the Taylor case. Miami-Dade assistant state attorney Mike Grieco is prosecuting both cases.

"There are a lot of issues," Hoffman said moments after a brief appearance in front of Miami-Dade circuit judge Peter Adrien . "We could theoretically close our case [today]. . . . We have to figure out if we can do things on our terms."

Hoffman said by cell phone that, at the end of the business day, his client remained undecided. "It's going to be an 11th-hour decision," he said.

Caughman's decision could have a significant impact on Taylor's case in front of judge Mary Barzee . Taylor, 22, faces a felony charge of aggravated assault with a firearm and a misdemeanor charge of simple battery stemming from a June 1 altercation in Miami over Taylor's two stolen all-terrain vehicles. According to police reports, a violent confrontation took place after Taylor accused two men of stealing the vehicles.

Taylor, who entered a written not-guilty plea to the charges, is required to appear at today's hearing with his attorney, Edward Carhart .

Caughman, 19, of Baltimore, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly wielding a bat during the incident.

[ozomulsion]

I'm pretty sure Charles Elwood Caughman refused the deal and had a trial date set since that artcle came out.

[Florida_Bronco]

Yeah that article is a few days old, but I haven't heard any other news on it yet.

[El Minion]

Originally Posted by -Slap-
It will restore my confidence in the blind hog finding an acorn maxim. The Jayson Williams case is the one that makes me want to scream.

Williams:
Got drunk
Began screwing around with a shotgun
Started verbally abusing an innocent limo driver to the delight of his scumbag friends
Blew the man in half with a shotgun
Hid and destroyed evidence
Lied to the police
Conspired with others to lie to the police
Had a history of violence
Had a history of reckless use of firearms

His penalty:
Nothing

By the way, this miserable piece of trash has talked about a comeback. There's no doubt in my mind that many teams would welcome him back with open arms.

I followed that case, it still bothers me to this day. A regular joe do his job and by random chance is hired by the the wrong client, and loses his life because of it. If one case that fame and fortune can not buy your way out of, I thought it was that one. He's at the seen of the crime, it is his weapon that was used, and there where several eye witnesses who witnessed his crime. Justice would be served when he is convicted on retrial.