Man accused of killing UM football teammate Bryan Pata rejects plea deal
Nearly two decades after University of Miami football player Bryan Pata was shot and killed outside his Kendall apartment, the man who police say is responsible has rejected a plea deal, and the case now proceeds to trial.
Pata, a rising defensive lineman for the Hurricanes, was 22 years old when he was shot in the back of the head on Nov. 7, 2006, outside an apartment complex in southwest Miami-Dade.
For years, the case went unsolved.
Pata’s family previously told NBC6 they believed jealousy played a role in his death, pointing to his confidence, success on the football field, and plans to pursue a professional football career.
Investigators allege phone records placed Rashuan Jones near the scene at the time of the shooting and that a professor also allegedly saw him at the apartment complex that night. Despite those claims, Jones was not arrested until 2021, nearly 15 years after Pata’s death.
On Monday, Jones rejected a 15-year prison plea deal offered by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and instead requested that the case be dismissed.
“At this point, your honor, with all due respect to everyone involved, dismissal is the only thing I am willing to accept,” Jones told Judge Cristina Miranda. “Deep down in my heart, I know I’m innocent,” Jones also stated.
With the denial of the plea deal, the case now proceeds to a trial set to begin on Monday with jury selection.
It’s unclear what defense theory Jones’ attorneys will present at trial.
Jones’ attorneys have argued that the lengthy delay in filing charges has made it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
According to court records, seven potential witnesses have died, one responding officer now suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, and the key witness who allegedly placed Jones at the scene has experienced cognitive decline.
The judge has denied the motion to dismiss, and on Monday, also denied Jones’ request to introduce evidence to jurors suggesting alternative suspects.
“You can always argue it wasn’t the defendant; it was someone else, but you can’t pinpoint other people that have no relevance to the case,” Judge Miranda said.
