Ex-Florida State soccer star Travis Rudolph acquitted in deadly taking pictures

A South Florida jury agreed Wednesday {that a} former Florida State soccer participant acted in self-defense when he fatally shot one man and injured one other a number of hours after he scuffled along with his girlfriend.

Travis Rudolph, 27, was discovered not responsible of 1 depend of first-degree homicide and three counts of tried homicide by a Palm Seashore County jury, the Palm Seashore Put up reported. The 12-member panel additionally selected to not convict Rudolph on lesser offenses, together with second-degree homicide and manslaughter.

Rudolph was first arrested in April 2021 after 4 males went to his dwelling a number of hours after he fought along with his girlfriend, investigators stated. Sooner or later, Rudolph armed himself with a semi-automatic rifle and opened fireplace on them as they drove away, killing Sebastien Jean-Jacques and wounding Tyler Robinson.

Rudolph testified that the boys have been armed and taking pictures again at him. Investigators stated they by no means discovered proof of the fleeing males returning fireplace.

Rudolph was Florida State’s main receiver in 2015 and 2016. He left the staff early to enter the NFL draft in 2017. He finally signed with the New York Giants after which the Miami Dolphins. He additionally hung out with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Soccer League. The staff launched him after his arrest.

He gained nationwide consideration in 2016 when a video of him consuming lunch with an autistic scholar throughout a staff go to at a Tallahassee center faculty went viral. Rudolph’s father died a yr later after a gun by chance discharged at a West Palm Seashore strip membership.

AP/