Bombshell Claim Delays Murder Trial of Former Miami Hurricanes Player

Defense says ICE informed them the actual killer was a Haitian hitman, not the defendant

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The murder trial of former University of Miami football player Rashaun Jones has been delayed after a bombshell claim from the defense. Jones' attorneys say ICE informed them that the actual killer of his teammate Bryan Pata in 2006 was a Haitian hitman, not Jones. The judge is reviewing the new evidence before deciding whether to allow it in the trial.

Why it matters

This case has been closely watched for nearly two decades, and the new allegation of a Haitian hitman being the real killer could significantly impact the proceedings. The judge must carefully weigh the admissibility of this evidence, which could upend the entire trial.

The details

Jones' defense team says an ICE agent confirmed that a confidential informant told them a Haitian hitman was responsible for Pata's murder, not Jones. The prosecution argued this information is hearsay, but the judge is allowing the defense to depose the ICE agent again to gather more details. The agent said the informant claimed the hitman did 'voodoo at the gravesite' in an attempt to throw off the police investigation.

  • The trial was originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The judge dismissed the jury for the day after hearing the defense's new claim.
  • The court will resume on Wednesday, February 19, 2026 at 10:30 AM.

The players

Rashaun Jones

A former University of Miami Hurricanes football player charged with the 2006 murder of his teammate Bryan Pata.

Bryan Pata

A University of Miami Hurricanes football player who was murdered in 2006.

Christian Maroni

The attorney representing Rashaun Jones.

Cristina Diamond

The prosecutor in the case against Rashaun Jones.

The Miami-Dade Judge

The judge presiding over the Rashaun Jones murder trial.

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What they’re saying

“There's specific language in that confession that says I just killed that kid from the University of Miami. So now we have a specific statement, linking that confession to the murder of Bryan Pata.”

— Christian Maroni, Rashaun Jones' attorney (cbsnews.com)

“Here, as we've gone over at nauseam. There are no other supporting documents. There are no other witnesses that can testify to this information.”

— Cristina Diamond, Prosecutor (cbsnews.com)

“Unless you all have direct evidence that I can use in this case, that I can agree to, and I can allow it to be admissible. This is all based on speculation. The entire thing.”

— The Miami-Dade Judge (cbsnews.com)

“Specifically he said the confidential informant, that the confidential informant the guy told him he was doing voodoo at the gravesite.”

— Christian Maroni, Rashaun Jones' attorney (cbsnews.com)

“There were well-meaning members of the community doing these types of rituals, hoping Bryan would speak through the grave site, so the police would get a tip. For the police to get a break.”

— The Prosecutor (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge will resume the trial on Wednesday, February 19, 2026 at 10:30 AM to hear opening statements from both the prosecution and defense teams after reviewing the new evidence regarding the alleged Haitian hitman.

The takeaway

This case has taken a dramatic turn, with the defense claiming the real killer was not the defendant but rather a Haitian hitman. The judge must carefully weigh the admissibility of this new evidence before allowing the trial to proceed, as it could significantly impact the outcome of the nearly two-decade-old murder case.