Bombshell discovery could alter murder trial for teammate of slain UM football player Bryan Pata

Miami Hurricanes football player Bryan Pata was killed nearly 20 years ago and the trial of one of his teammates is set to begin on Oct. 6.

But a new discovery might affect the case.

.Rashaun Jones, now 40, has been in jail for four years after being accused of killing Pata, 22, in Kendall on Nov. 7, 2006.

An ESPN report released Thursday about the case put a spotlight on Paul Connor, who was previously thought to be dead but is living in Louisville, Kentucky.

Connor lived in the same apartment complex as Pata and told police he saw someone jogging away from the parking-lot entrance on the night of the killing. Connor later identified Jones in a photo lineup.

But Connor, who is now 81, told ESPN he does not recall what happened.

“I’m getting up in years,” he said. “My memory comes and goes. How long ago was this court case?”

This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM.