Former Canes Player Accused in 2006 Teammate's Murder on Trial

Opening statements delayed due to new evidence about a confidential informant's statements.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The long-awaited trial of former Miami Hurricanes football player Rashaun Jones, accused of killing his teammate Bryan Pata in 2006, has finally begun after several delays. The defense argued new information about a Homeland Security confidential informant's statements could sway the case, but the state said the timeline doesn't add up. Pata's family has been seeking justice for over 20 years since the 22-year-old defensive lineman, a projected top NFL draft pick, was shot in the back of the head outside his apartment.

Why it matters

This case has been a long-standing mystery and source of anguish for the Pata family, who have waited over two decades for justice. It also raises questions about the handling of evidence and the challenges of prosecuting cold cases, especially those involving high-profile individuals.

The details

Jones is accused of shooting Pata, his teammate, in the back of the head outside Pata's Kendall apartment in November 2006 after a team practice. The case went cold for several years until new evidence surfaced in 2021, leading to Jones' arrest. The defense has accused the state of misrepresenting evidence and claimed that documents are missing and the case has a string of holes.

  • The murder occurred in November 2006.
  • The case went cold for several years.
  • New evidence surfaced in 2021, leading to Jones' arrest.
  • Opening statements were delayed on Tuesday due to new information about a confidential informant's statements.
  • The trial began on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Rashaun Jones

A former Miami Hurricanes football player accused of killing his teammate Bryan Pata in 2006.

Bryan Pata

A 22-year-old Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman and projected top NFL draft pick who was killed in 2006.

Christian Maroni

The defense attorney for Rashaun Jones.

Cristina Miranda

The Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge presiding over the trial.

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What they’re saying

“The confidential informant said he was playing dominoes with an individual a few weeks after Bryan Pata was murdered, and that individual confessed to killing someone.”

— Christian Maroni, Defense Attorney (wsvn.com)

“That statement was made. The CI contacted his handler, his special agent, in July of 2009 about a recent homicide.”

— Prosecutor (wsvn.com)

“I don't want to have openings until we have answers.”

— Cristina Miranda, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge (wsvn.com)

What’s next

The judge allowed time to flush out the facts, and now the jury is seated and the trial is underway. Jones has maintained his innocence and refused a plea deal earlier in the case.

The takeaway

This long-delayed trial highlights the challenges of prosecuting cold cases, especially those involving high-profile individuals. The new evidence and witness discovery in 2021 have reignited hopes for justice, but the defense's claims of missing documents and misrepresented evidence raise concerns about the handling of the case over the past two decades.