Eric Rivera Jr., the suspect in the killing of ex-NFL safety Sean Taylor, was found guilty of second degree murder.
A Florida jury found Rivera guilty in the 2007 slaying of Taylor, who played for the Washington Redskins, reported WSVN-TV.
Taylor, who was selected fifth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, was found dead after intruders entered his Miami-area home.
Rivera had pleaded not guilty in the case.
Rivera was also convicted of armed burglary.
Rivera told police in a videotaped confession he shot Taylor when the Pro Bowl safety confronted a group of young men who broke into his house near Miami.
At trial, Rivera testified the confession was improperly coerced and insisted he never went inside. Riverasought to blame the slaying on another would-be burglar.
Four other young men were charged, with one pleading guilty. The others face trial later.
After his death, Taylor’s passing was mourned around the U.S. and by the NFL.
The Redskins put him in the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame on Nov. 30, 2008.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
