Published: August 8, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Updated: August 8, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Rashaun Jones has rejected a plea deal in the murder case involving his former University of Miami teammate Bryan Pata.
MIAMI — There’s a new twist in the murder case of former Miami Hurricanes football star Bryan Pata.
His former teammate, turned accused killer, has rejected a plea deal.
An inmate claims Rashaun Jones, 40, confessed to murdering Pata, 22, but the inmate has refused to testify, saying he fears for his safety and alleging to federal and state law enforcement that Jones’ defense attorney bribed him to avoid testifying.
Now, a judge says an investigation is required to look into the alleged bribery.
Jones’ defense attorney may now have to be removed and could even become a witness, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Jones’ defense attorney has denied the allegations.
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Ryan Mackey