A judge has scheduled a retrial for former Miami Hurricanes football player Rashaud Jones, who is accused of killing his teammate nearly two decades ago.
During a hearing Wednesday, Cristina Miranda set a new trial date for May 18 and reduced Jones’ bond. Jones, now 40, appeared in court wearing a jail uniform as the judge discussed the timeline for the new trial.
Jones has been in custody since his arrest in August 2021. He faces a charge of second-degree murder in the 2006 killing of fellow University of Miami player Bryan Pata.
Pata, 22, was shot in the head outside his home in Kendall in November 2006 and died at the scene. Investigators never recovered the gun used in the shooting.
The retrial was scheduled after a jury earlier this week could not reach a unanimous decision, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial.
Defense attorney Sara Alvarez argued the deadlocked jury justified lowering Jones’ bond from $850,000 to $50,000. Prosecutors opposed the request, saying a hung jury did not represent a significant change in circumstances.
Judge Miranda declined to lower the bond to $50,000, noting that such a low amount would be highly unusual in a homicide case.
During the hearing, Jones told the court he does not have the financial resources to post bond and said his family has been unable to raise the necessary money.
The judge ultimately reduced his bond to $500,000. Under the new conditions, Jones’ family would need to post 10% — about $50,000 — for his release while awaiting trial.
Jones remains in custody as he waits for the retrial scheduled for May.