Eric Rivera, the person responsible for the death of former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor back in 2007, was sentenced to 57 years in prison today.
Rivera, who was 17 years old in 2007, was the person who shot Taylor during the 2007 burglary of the two-time NFL Pro Bowler's house.
Rivera, who is now 23 years old, confessed to police in a videotape that he did not know Taylor would be at his home when he and his group was trying to rob it. Taylor opened the door with a machete when he saw the group, which led to Rivera shooting him.
"He lost his life defending and protecting his family," said Assistant State Attorney Reid Rubin in a closing statement. "They kicked the door in and they shot him and killed him, for no good reason."
Rivera told the members of Taylor's family today that he was sorry for what he did, saying Sean "was a good man."
"I live with his death every day. I'm going to have to deal with the consequences."
RIP Sean Taylor. Gone, but not forgotten.
