Eric Rivera Jr. Sentenced To 57 Years For Sean Taylor Death: 6 Things To Know About 23-Year-Old Murderer

Eric Rivera Jr. has been sentenced to over 57 years in prison for the death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. According to prosecutors, reports the Associated Press, Rivera fired the shot that led to the death of Taylor, who was 24 at the time of his death, and faced maximum life in prison. In November, Rivera was convicted for second-degree murder and armed burglary. Three others involved in the shooting of Taylor have yet to stand trial.

Here are six things to know about Eric Rivera Jr.: 1. Being a native from Florida, Rivera could have faced the death penalty. He was immune since he was 17 years old at the time of the murder. 2. Eric Rivera Jr must serve 85 percent of his sentence, which means he will not be eligible for parole for 49 years and will be 72 by the time will receive parole. 3. Rivera told authorities he kicked in Taylor's bedroom door and shot him, but changed his testimony last year stating that his confession was coerced and that someone else shot Taylor.

4. In his testimony, Eric Rivera Jr. claimed that Venjah Hunte was the one who bought the 9mm gun and shot Taylor. Hunte pled guilty to second-degree murder and burglary charges in a deal that sentenced him to 29 years. 5. According to Rivera, he did not know about the burglary plans until he was on the Alligator Alley Highway in Florida. He alleges that he was in the car, outside, the entire time. 6. In his testimony, Rivera revealed that the group of five expected to split $100,000 to $200,000 that they would take from the robbery.

Taylor died on Nov. 25, 2007 after suffering damage to his femoral artery that caused massive blood loss due to a gunshot wound in the upper thight from the attempted home invasion. Rivera's videotaped testimony disclosed that he and the men who broke into Taylor's Fort Myers home wanted to get their hands on his cash, believing the Pro Bowl safety was on the road with the Redskins. The burglars did not realize that Taylor was home with an injury. Taylor reportedly confronted the invaders with a machete and was consequently shot. Taylor's then-girlfriend, Jackie Garcia Haley, and their 18-month-old daughter were at his residence, but both were unharmed.