Eric Rivera Jr., center, listens to the reading of the...

Eric Rivera Jr., center, listens to the reading of the verdict as he is found guilty of second degree murder in the 2007 slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor. (Nov. 4, 2013) Credit: AP

A Florida man who prosecutors say fired the fatal shot in the 2007 killing of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor has been sentenced to more than 57 years in prison.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy imposed the sentence Thursday on 23-year-old Eric Rivera Jr., who was convicted in November of second-degree murder and armed burglary. Rivera had faced a maximum life sentence.

Rivera told police in a videotaped confession that he and other young men from the Fort Myers area broke into Taylor's Miami-area house hoping to steal cash the NFL player kept there. Taylor surprised them because he was home instead of with the Redskins and was shot after confronting them with a machete.

Rivera testified someone else fired the gun. Three others are awaiting trial in the case.

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