Bryan Sidney Pata, an American football defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes, died on November 7th, 2006. He majored in criminology and ironically, he fell victim to murder. Rashaun Jones, his teammate, is the murder suspect. It took authorities 15 years to be able to point fingers at someone. Jones has been arrested and is facing a first-degree murder charge for Bryan Pata’s murder. Jones claims that he had nothing to do with his teammate’s murder but is he being truthful?
Bryan Pata’s Murder in 2006
https://gty.im/72509298
Bryan Pata, who was a 22-year-old senior then, was shot in the back of the head and murdered outside his house at the Colony Apartments in Kendall, Florida on the evening of November 7, 2006, as he was returning from practice. Pata, a Miami Central High graduate, was expected to be a high NFL draft pick, but all of that was gone with the bullet that struck him. His teammates, including Rashaun Jones, and Miami Hurricanes fans paid tribute to the late player. It was a tragic loss that resonated with many.
Rashaun Jones is the Prime Murder Suspect
Police arrested former Miami Hurricanes football player, Rashaun Jones, 35 then, in August 2021 in connection to the November 2006 murder of teammate Bryan Pata, almost 15 years after the crime. An ESPN investigation pointed out missteps in the long-stalled police inquiry and revealed that Jones had been a suspect since 2007, which was an eye-opener for the authorities as they made the arrest nine months later. He was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in Ocala, Florida, on a homicide warrant obtained by Miami-Dade police.
Jones has been charged with and convicted of various criminal traffic and drug-related offenses over the years. This includes an arrest and same-day release concerning a second offense of driving with a suspended license in Columbia County, Florida. Additionally, according to police records, Jones had been suspended from the team after having failed a second drug test, on the day of Pata’s murder.
Why Jones Was Arrested
First, there is a motive for the murder. Rashaun Jones, who had been involved with Bryan Pata’s girlfriend, Jada Brody, hadn’t been on good terms with Pata in the months before the killing. Both of them fought and Pata bested him. Pata had also told his brother that Jones had threatened him with a shot in the head, according to an arrest warrant. His brother urged him to report the incident, but Pata never did. Jones insisted that he was home when the police interrogated him, but cell records revealed that his cellphone was away from his home at the time of the shooting, and the signal bounced off a tower not far from Pata’s residence.
Secondly, a neighbor, Paul Conner, identified Jones as the man seen walking away from the scene. 15 years later, he still recalled the details of what he had heard and seen, having had an unobstructed view of the shooter. Conner’s testimony helped police prepare a sketch of the suspect not long after the shooting. Conner was re-interviewed and picked Jones out of a photo lineup, which proves further that Jones may certainly be the murderer. Additionally, the police didn’t reveal what caliber was used in the murder but revealed that it was “consistent” with the Jones’ gun.
Finally, Jones’ attitude after the murder was suspicious. He skipped a mandatory team meeting after the murder. He also called a fellow student, Mike Sanders, and asked to borrow money. He refused to say what it was for, according to the warrant. Furthermore, in the warrant, police said Jones refused to say why he skipped the mandatory team meeting, and he also changed his cell number after the shooting. Jones pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge and has been in custody until March 2022.
Jones Granted $850K Bond Ahead of Pata Murder Trial
Before March 2022, Rashaun Jones was ineligible for bond ever since his arrest in August 2021. In the Arthur hearing (a hearing similar to a small, expedient trial without a jury that may grant the defendant bond) however, Jones was granted a $850K bond by Florida 11th Circuit Court Judge Cristina Miranda. 10%, or $85,000, is needed for his release. She stated that after three days of witness testimony, the state proved that “there is a viable case” but she said that Jones was “differently situated now,” noting that he has remained in the state for years even after he knew he was a suspect in Bryan Pata’s murder.
The police admitted to their shortcoming in the investigation as it had taken them 15 years to put a name and face to Pata’s murderer. However, Jones is still pending trial as it is a huge case that has 15 years’ worth of evidence and many factors that come into play. Also, when a case is as old as this one, having a fresh set of eyes can be useful as they don’t zero in on the case and they have a broader perspective of what might have happened and if anyone missed anything that could be pivotal to the case.
For More Great Content
Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily-detailed articles every day on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check out all our great sports content Total Apex Sports. Check us out on X@TotalApexEandG and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
