Opening statements in the murder trial involving former University of Miami football player Rashaun Jones were scheduled to begin Tuesday morning but were postponed after defense attorneys revealed new information they say could reshape the case.
Jones, now 40, is accused of killing his former teammate Bryan Pata, a defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes in November of 2006.
According to defense attorney Christian Maroni, new information that the defense received late on Friday, Feb. 13 includes a Homeland Security Investigation document in which a confidential informant identified a man named Wilner Yacinth as being involved in Pata’s killing. The defense also claims that police did not thoroughly investigate an alleged confession from Yacinth.
The confession includes the language, “‘I just killed that kid from the University of Miami,’” Maroni said. “So now we have a specific statement linking that confession to the murder of Bryan Pata.”
Maroni also argued that investigators did not fully look into gang involvement and other possible suspects, saying police reports show detectives did not interview individuals allegedly connected to a gang.
Judge Cristina Miranda delayed the start of the trial, saying the court must resolve outstanding questions before opening statements are presented to a jury.
“I do think we want answers to these types of things to be able to put some puzzle pieces together for the ethical obligation that we all have,” Miranda said.
Prosecutors acknowledged receiving the same materials but argued the defense is attempting to introduce unsubstantiated hearsay, characterizing the information is inadmissible.
State attorney Cristina Diamond argued that the court has no supporting records or witnesses who can verify the information referenced in the reports.
Miranda did not immediately rule on whether jurors will be allowed to hear about the alleged confession or the HSI report, noting that similar references to alleged confessions had previously been excluded over validity concerns. After a long hearing Tuesday, the judge gave both sides until Wednesday morning to provide any additional information before making a final determination.
This delay to opening statements came as nearly 17 of Pata’s family members arrived at the courthouse expecting opening statements to begin. Among them was Pata’s mother, Jeanette, who is now wheelchair-bound but attended court.
The opening statements and trial are expected to move forward Wednesday morning, once the court resolves the issues surrounding the newly presented information.
This article was originally published on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 8:51 p.m. and was updated on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 12:35 a.m.