At least 2 of the 4 suspected robbers charged with the murder of Washington Redskins NFL football star Sean Taylor were involved in a burglary of his home in the Miami area 8 days before. NFL football memorabilia belonging to Sean Taylor and large amounts of cash were found in the home of at least one of the burglars.

Sean Taylor's former lawyer, Richard Sharpstein, stated Wednesday, "They stole his life thinking they were going to steal a few dollars from him."

The first burglary occurred after one of the robbers pried open a window to get into the NFL star's home. The police stated that little was stolen at this time and they had rummaged through several drawers and a safe in the bedroom.  A knife had been left on the bed and it was speculated that it had been left to threaten him.  Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals cornerback and childhood friend said that Sean Taylor had many enemies in the Miami area and that "they've been targeting him for 3 years." Richard Sharpstein later stated that the intruders left the knife "as a simple burglary tool" to pick locks.

Eric Rivera, 17, was identified as the shooter in the grand jury indictment and will be tried as an adult. Burglar 2 Scott Mitchell, 19, wore a hood to conceal his identity. At least one of the defendants had been to Taylor's house in the past month for a birthday party for Taylor's sister, Sasha Johnson, who turned 21. Sasha had dated a cousin of the the 3rd intruder, Charles Kendrick Lee Warlow, 18. The 4th intruder, Venjah Hunte, 20 had never been into the house according to his lawyer, Michael Hornung. He had no idea why they had chosen this particular house.