Mistrial Declared in Case Against Former UM Player Rashaun Jones

Victim's family says retrial is expected after jury fails to reach verdict

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A judge has declared a mistrial in the murder case against former University of Miami football player Rashaun Jones, who is accused of killing his teammate Bryan Pata nearly two decades ago. The six-person jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict after deliberating for several hours over two days. The Pata family says prosecutors informed them they intend to retry the case and may present additional evidence.

Why it matters

This case has drawn significant attention in the Miami community, as it involves the high-profile killing of a college football player that has remained unsolved for nearly 20 years. The mistrial outcome is a setback for the Pata family's pursuit of justice, but they remain hopeful that a retrial will lead to a resolution in the long-running case.

The details

Rashaun Jones, now 40 years old, was charged with second-degree murder in the 2006 shooting death of his teammate Bryan Pata, a 22-year-old Hurricanes star defensive lineman. The murder weapon was never recovered, but prosecutors alleged rivalry and fights among teammates as possible motives. Jones has maintained his innocence and has spent nearly five years in custody since his arrest in 2021.

  • The shooting occurred on November 7, 2006.
  • Jones was arrested in August 2021 in Ocala.
  • The mistrial was declared on Monday, March 3, 2026.

The players

Rashaun Jones

A former University of Miami football player who is accused of killing his teammate Bryan Pata in 2006.

Bryan Pata

A 22-year-old Hurricanes star defensive lineman who was shot and killed outside his home in 2006.

Jeanette Pata

The mother of Bryan Pata.

Edwin Pata

The brother of Bryan Pata and the family spokesperson.

Sara Alvarez

The defense attorney for Rashaun Jones.

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What they’re saying

“I thought our prosecutors did a wonderful job. I know there's some things they did not share, but I am pretty sure they are going to come back a lot harder.”

— Edwin Pata, Brother of Bryan Pata (CBS News Miami)

“We were thinking it was going to be done today, and throughout the duration of the trial, the more evidence that was presented, we got more confident that it was going to be solved. But kind of a bummer today, to see it as a mistrial — that was a punch to the stomach.”

— Edwin Pata, Brother of Bryan Pata (CBS News Miami)

“Mr. Jones continues to be presumed innocent and we will be back to fight this again in the next trial.”

— Sara Alvarez, Defense attorney (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning, where the judge could set a tentative date for a new trial.

The takeaway

This mistrial outcome is a setback for the Pata family's long-running pursuit of justice, but they remain hopeful that a retrial with potentially new evidence will lead to a resolution in the high-profile killing of the college football player that has gone unsolved for nearly two decades.