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Taylor's trial scheduled to begin Monday
Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor will not accept a plea deal that could keep him out of prison in an assault case because it would require him to admit to a felony, his attorney said Tuesday.
"When a man is not guilty, that option is not attractive," said Richard Sharpstein, one of Taylor's three lawyers.
Unless a last-minute deal is reached, trial is scheduled to begin in the case Monday in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.
The 23-year-old Taylor faces up to 46 years in prison if convicted on three aggravated assault charges and one misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a June 1 armed confrontation with a group of people in a dispute over all-terrain vehicles that Taylor owns. Taylor has pleaded not guilty and is free on $16,500 bail.
If Taylor is convicted, the felony assault charges carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years each. Prosecutors talked with Taylor's lawyers about a plea deal involving a sentence of probation, but insisted on a felony plea because a firearm was involved.
Taylor's lawyers failed in a bid Tuesday to get the charges dismissed. They argued prosecutors failed to disclose information about the criminal histories of the alleged victims in the case that might help Taylor's defense. But Circuit Judge Mary Barzee rejected their dismissal motion.
Taylor, a former star at the University of Miami, signed a seven-year, $18 million contract with the Redskins in 2004. He has six interceptions and 120 tackles in his two NFL seasons, but also has had more than his share of trouble.
Taylor has been fined seven times during his pro career for late hits and other infractions, most recently a $17,000 penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a playoff game in January. He also was fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium.
Source: AP
"When a man is not guilty, that option is not attractive," said Richard Sharpstein, one of Taylor's three lawyers.
Unless a last-minute deal is reached, trial is scheduled to begin in the case Monday in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.
The 23-year-old Taylor faces up to 46 years in prison if convicted on three aggravated assault charges and one misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a June 1 armed confrontation with a group of people in a dispute over all-terrain vehicles that Taylor owns. Taylor has pleaded not guilty and is free on $16,500 bail.
If Taylor is convicted, the felony assault charges carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years each. Prosecutors talked with Taylor's lawyers about a plea deal involving a sentence of probation, but insisted on a felony plea because a firearm was involved.
Taylor's lawyers failed in a bid Tuesday to get the charges dismissed. They argued prosecutors failed to disclose information about the criminal histories of the alleged victims in the case that might help Taylor's defense. But Circuit Judge Mary Barzee rejected their dismissal motion.
Taylor, a former star at the University of Miami, signed a seven-year, $18 million contract with the Redskins in 2004. He has six interceptions and 120 tackles in his two NFL seasons, but also has had more than his share of trouble.
Taylor has been fined seven times during his pro career for late hits and other infractions, most recently a $17,000 penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a playoff game in January. He also was fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium.
Source: AP