Rashaun Jones, who is accused of killing his University of Miami football teammate Bryan Pata in 2006, sits with defense attorneys Bonita E Jones Peabody, at left and Sara Alvarez, at right, during opening statements in Judge Cristina Miranda Courtroom 4-1 at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
In a packed courtroom Wednesday morning, prosecutors said Bryan Pata was living out his childhood dream — as a star football player at the University of Miami, on his way to the NFL — when he was gunned down by his teammate.
“He was a University of Miami football player, NFL prospect, a larger than life college athlete...” prosecutor Kristen Rodriguez said during opening statements. “We are not here because of his life. We are here because of his murder.”
On Wednesday, Rashaun Jones, 40, faced the jury that will decide his fate. Jones, Pata’s former teammate, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge in 2021, 15 years after Pata’s 2006 death. He has pleaded not guilty.
Jones’ trial began after several months of delays, including a last-minute admission by Jones’ defense team on Tuesday that they uncovered new evidence linking his death to an ICE investigation, Haitian gang members and a hitman.
Jeanette Pata, the mother of murder victim Bryan Pata, reacts during the trial of Rashaun Jones, who is accused of killing Pata, his University of Miami football teammate, in 2006. Sitting with her is Bryan’s siblings Ronette Pata and Edwin Pata. Judge Cristina Miranda presiding in Courtroom 4-1 at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Pata, a 22-year-old Hurricanes star defensive lineman expected to be a top NFL draft pick, was shot in the back of his head and killed on Nov. 7, 2006, outside his home at the Colony Apartments in Kendall. He had just returned from football practice.
Bryan Pata, 2006, photo courtesy UM.
“What ensued at that point was an investigation into one of the most popular football players at one of the most popular teams in the city of Miami,” Rodriguez said.
Detectives were given a multitude of leads due to the victim’s high profile, but “they kept coming back to one person — Rashaun Jones,” Rodriguez said.
Assistant State Attorney Kristen Rodriguez delivers an opening statements during the trial of Rashaun Jones, who is accused of killing his University of Miami football teammate Bryan Pata in 2006. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Jones, Rodriguez said, had two suspensions from the team, and his football dreams were dwindling. Meanwhile, Pata “has the girl, he’s got the talent, and he’s got the popularity,” the prosecutor said.
Jones, Rodriguez said, was jealous of Pata, noting he had a troubled relationship with his teammate years before the killing and had fought over a girlfriend.
Jones didn’t kill teammate: defense
Jones’s lawyers countered, however, that there isn’t anything that links Pata’s murder to their client.
Prosecutors do not have a murder weapon, fingerprints, surveillance footage, DNA or any witnesses of the shooting that can link Jones to Pata’s death, defense attorney Sara Alvarez said in her opening statement Wednesday. There is no “coherent motive” for why Jones would want to kill Pata, and police did not discover any new evidence linking him to the case that would explain the lengthy delay in prosecution.
“This case is different,” she said. “This is what the deliberate failure of justice looks like.” Pata’s killing “was an absolute tragedy, but Rashaun Jones is innocent.”
Defense attorney Sara Alvarez delivers an opening statement during the trial of Rashaun Jones, who is accused of killing his University of Miami football teammate Bryan Pata in 2006. Judge Cristina Miranda presiding in Courtroom 4-1 at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Jones is now on trial “because of pressure, not because of proof,” Alvarez noted. Prosecutors, she added, are asking jurors to perform “mental gymnastics” and “force those puzzle pieces to fit. Nothing ties Rashaun Jones to this in any way.”
The case had been one of South Florida’s most well-known unsolved killings. Jones’ arrest came after ESPN published an investigative piece about the case.
Rashaun Jones, who is accused of killing his University of Miami football teammate Bryan Pata in 2006, during recess in Judge Cristina Miranda Courtroom 4-1 at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Jones’ trial was supposed to begin Tuesday morning but was delayed, as his legal team attempted to introduce new evidence to argue his innocence. They told Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Cristina Miranda they received information Friday night related to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation involving a special agent who had intel from a confidential informant.
The informant said a hitman and Haitian gang members were involved in Pata’s killing. Pata, a graduate of Miami Central High, was Haitian American.
Nonetheless, Miranda did not delay the trial.
Mranda had previously barred Jones’ attorneys from presenting evidence related to other people confessing to the murder, allegedly placing a hit on Pata and threatening Pata before his killing. The defense also will not be allowed to elicit testimony about a fight at a Miami club involving Pata, several of his UM teammates and gang members months before the murder, the judge ruled.
Two weeks ago, Jones rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors that would have had him spending 15 years in prison. Jones has already served five years awaiting trial and would likely have gotten credit for the time served. Jones, however, said he wouldn’t take the plea deal because he didn’t kill Pata.
If convicted of Pata’s murder, Jones would face a life sentence.
University of Miami football players, including Rashaun Jones (38) at left, hold hands at mid-field in front of a mural of teammate Bryan Pata after game against Boston College at the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami on Nov. 23, 2006. Jones was arrested Thursday, August 19, 2021 in connection with the fatal shooting of his teammate, Bryan Pata. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com