National Football League

Sentencing set for Fla. man in NFL player killing

Published Dec. 16, 2013 8:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

A Jan. 23 sentencing date has been set for a Florida man convicted of murder in the 2007 shooting death of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor during a botched burglary at the player's home.

A Miami jury last month convicted 23-year-old Eric Rivera Jr. of second-degree murder and armed burglary. Rivera faces a maximum of life in prison but could get less.

In a recorded statement to investigators, Rivera confessed in detail to plotting the burglary with others and shooting Taylor when the Pro Bowl safety surprised the group with a machete. But on the witness stand, Rivera claimed police coerced a false confession and blamed the shooting on someone else.

Four others were charged. One has pleaded guilty, and the others will stand trial later.

Taylor also starred at the University of Miami.