MIAMI-DADE, Fl. (July 14, 2005) -- Washington Redskins safety   Sean Taylor and his defense team were dealt a severe blow less than 24 hours after rejecting the state's plea offer when prosecutors disclosed they have uncovered additional evidence in their case against the 2004 pro bowl alternate. 

Amy Shipley, of the Washington Post, reports the Miami-Dade state attorney's office has discovered new and damaging evidence implicating Taylor in an incident where, prosecutors charge, he brandished a weapon and committed felony assault. The charge carries a minimum mandatory sentence of three years in prison, with a maximum of 16. Miami-Dade assistant state attorney Mike Grieco disclosed that investigators have recently come across a video surveillance camera that allegedly captured the June 1st incident on tape as it unfolded in the town of West Perrine, just south of downtown Miami. "The camera was taken from a convience store across the street. Our team's analysis is that the tape appears to show Mr. Taylor's Yukon Denali sport utility vehicle and an individual matching the defendant's description getting out of the car, holding a firearm.," Grieco said to reporters. "It's literally a smoking gun." 

Taylor, 22, pleaded not guilty through a written document filed in advance by defense attorney Edward Carhart. Yesterday, he rejected a plea deal from the Miami-Dade state attorney's office that included a three-year prison term. Neither Taylor nor his attorney could be reached for comment. When asked, Grieco said that the three-year plea offer was no longer on the table and his office would seek the maximum penalty.

According to the original police report, on the evening of June 1 Taylor drove with co-defendant, Charles Elwood Caughman, into West Perrine, with several friends trailing behind in another car. Taylor believed that two men from the area had stolen his two ATVs, each worth roughly $7,000. Police said Taylor got out of the car after spotting the men and pointed a handgun while demanding his ATVs. No shots were fired, police said. Taylor returned 10 minutes later with more friends, police said. This time, Taylor got out of the car and hit one of the individuals, Ryan Hill, 21, with his fist while Caughman chased another person with a bat, the police report said. After a tussle, Taylor and his group again left the scene, police said.

 
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