The jury in former NFL player Travis Rudolph’s murder trial returned a not-guilty decision in less than four hours. After hearing two weeks of testimony, the jurors decided Rudolph’s fate quickly.
Rudolph spoke of his freedom and future outside the courthouse following the judgment, wiping away tears and hugging his attorneys. The ex-NFLer then headed to Instagram with longtime friend and NFL player Dalvin Cook to celebrate the not-guilty decision.
In April 2021, the former New York Giants wide receiver is charged with killing a guy in Lake Park, Florida. In the first-degree murder prosecution, the former Florida State University and New York Giants wide receiver attempted to use a “stand your ground” argument.
Rudolph had just gotten into a disagreement with his girlfriend at his West Palm Beach house the night of the fatal shooting. The altercation erupted after four males accosted Rudolph at his residence, according to a probable cause document. The former NFL player then took a gun and fired at the fleeing gang.
Sebastien Jean-Jacques was killed, while Tyler Robinson was hospitalized but later recovered.
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As eyewitness descriptions of the fateful night, the nearly two weeks of testimony might be described as heated and emotional. Dominique Jones, Rudolph’s ex-girlfriend, disclosed stunning details about her relationship with the former NFL player, including the fact that she is married. She was also questioned about what she discovered on the former NFL player’s phone, which led to them fighting the night he shot at a group of men.
“I was more hurt than angry,” Jones said of discovering Rudolph had cheated on her. Prosecutors suspect Jones’ brother and three other men showed up at Rudolph’s residence to confront him after the two began fighting.
Robinson, one of those individuals, testified for more than six hours about riding shotgun when he and the other men traveled to Rudolph’s house the night of the killing. Police and medical officials testified regarding the crime scene investigation and the victim’s hand positioning when he died. The defense team grilled Det. Emily Vander-Laan relentlessly, holding her on the stand for hours defending her investigation.
Robinson, one of those people, testified for more than six hours about riding shotgun with the other men when they went to Rudolph’s residence the night of the murder. Police and medical personnel testified about the crime scene investigation and the victim’s hand location at the time of death. Det. Emily Vander-Laan was interrogated mercilessly by the defense team, who kept her on the stand for hours defending her investigation.
Rudolph was the last person to be called to the stand.
“We on demon time,” Rudolph testified the four men said after confronting him about a fight with his ex-girlfriend at his mother’s house.
Check out the live blog below for all of the dramatic testimony for more highlights from the trial.
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