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October Trial Date For Alleged Sean Taylor Shooter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Nearly six years after the shooting death of star Redskins safety Sean Taylor in his Miami home, a new trial date has been set for the alleged shooter.

The trial has now been set for October 15th.

The trial of 23-year-old Eric Rivera Jr. has been delayed numerous times, in part because Rivera has had several different lawyers. The latest September trial date was postponed because of scheduling conflicts.

Taylor was killed during what prosecutors say was a botched robbery at his Miami-area home on November 26th, 2007.

Taylor and his girlfriend were woken up by noises coming from inside their home. Once thieves broke through the bedroom door, two shots were fired with one hitting Taylor in the leg, fatally damaging his femoral artery.

Taylor never recovered from the shooting and died the next day.

Rivera and three others, all from the Fort Myers area, have pleaded not guilty and are being tried separately. Each faces a possible life sentence if convicted.

A fifth man previously pleaded guilty to murder and burglary charges and is likely to testify against the others.

Taylor was a star for the University of Miami and was drafted in 2004 in the first round by the Redskins. He was off to a great start in his career when he was cut down at the age of 24. In just over three and a half years, Taylor had 299 tackles, 2 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and 12 interceptions.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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