Loading summary
Transcript22 lines
- [00:01]
A
Crime House has the perfect new show for spooky season Twisted Tales. Hosted by Heidi Wong, each episode of Twisted Tales is perfect for late night scares and daytime frights, revealing the disturbing real life events that inspired the world's most terrifying blockbusters and the ones too twisted to make it to screen. Twisted Tales is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts New episodes out every Monday.
- [00:41]
B
This is Crime House.
- [00:45]
A
Tonight we're covering the shocking story of a college football star who was expected to be a second or third round NFL draft pick. He had his whole life ahead of him, but tragically it was cut short and one of his own teammates is the alleged killer. Let's get into it Breaking the case.
- [01:05]
C
In one of South Florida's most infamous unsolved murders, the shooting of a University of Miami lineman outside his apartment 15 years ago. Brian Patto was a star player and had big prospects in the NFL, but that all ended when he was shot in the head after practice and now.
- [01:19]
A
Police say that it was one of his own teammates who pulled the trigger. The man accused of murdering his former University of Miami teammate has entered a plea of not guilty. Rashawn Jones did not appear in court for the hearing held on Zoom, so his lawyer entered a plea for him. Jones is being charged with second degree murder, a wild turn in the murder case against former University of Miami football player Rashawn Jones. He spent the last four years in jail, accused of killing teammate Brian Pata in 2006. And Friday in court, Jones listened in on yet another hearing, this one centered around a blockbuster report Thursday by ESPN Foreign. Hi, I'm Katie Ring, a true crime analyst, self defense instructor and fierce advocate for victims. And this is Crime House Daily, your essential true crime companion. Every weekday morning and night here at Crime House Daily, we dig into the true crime stories making headlines right now, where justice is unfolding, arrests are happening, and new evidence is emerging. Every morning, First Watch gets you up to speed on today's biggest cases. Every night, Nightwatch takes you deeper. If you want to follow a case from the first 911 call to the final verdict, this is the place for you. Follow Crime House Daily. Wherever you get your podcasts, leave a Review and for ad free listening, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. For video, check out our YouTube channel, Crimehouse Daily. This episode discusses active criminal cases and breaking news. The information we share is based on what's publicly available at the time of recording and may change as new evidence comes to light. We aim to inform not to decide guilt or innocence. So everyone mentioned is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
- [03:18]
D
When it comes to owning a car or truck these days it's hard to beat a Toyota from reliability to resale value Toyota has the field covered, and as the official automotive partner of the NFL, the strength of Toyota is on full display. With a legendary selection of gas, hybrid and electric vehicles, Toyota has options for any lifestyle and the affordability to fit your budget, plus great deals with special financing and lease payments available to qualified customers. And Toyota is the best resale value brand for 2025, according to Kelly bluebookskbb.com, so you can feel confident that your Toyota will hold its value. So check out the popular Camry and Corolla adventurous RAV4 spacious Grand Highlander, or the rugged Tacoma and Tundra. Visit buyatoyota.com for a great deal and drive home a Toyota that's right for you. Vehicle's projected resale value is specific to the 2025 model year. For more information, visit kelleybluebookskbb.com Toyota Let'.
- [04:21]
A
Tonight we're discussing the case of Brian Pata, a college football star who was murdered just months before he was expected to join the NFL. Brian died in 2006, but Brian's former teammate and alleged killer Rashawn Jones wasn't caught until 2021. The trial was set to begin in October of 2025, but the proceedings were delayed the because police believed the only witness to the crime was dead. But then reporters from ESPN tracked down the witness and discovered he's still alive, which caused speculation around the authorities true level of knowledge this whole time. With a new trial date set for February 2026, we may finally get all of the answers we've been waiting for. So who was Brian Pata and and why is ESPN helping with the investigation into his death? Let's dive in. Brian Pata was born on August 12, 1984 in Miami, Florida. He is the baby of the family and has eight older siblings. All of the kids were super close, but Brian's parents split up when he was just 8 years old. After the split, his mom Jeanette raised them on her own but struggled to find a job that could support the whole family since she had recently immigrated from Haiti. She ends up getting a job as a hotel maid, which unfortunately required a lot of overtime. But Brian's older siblings stepped up to take care of their younger siblings, help around the house, and even get jobs of their own. Jeanette moves them around a lot each Time looking for a safer neighborhood in Miami, since they're never in one place for long. Brian and his siblings are each other's best friends. He and his brothers play a lot of sports, and basketball is his favorite. But as he gets taller and packs on muscle, Brian realizes he could have serious potential as a football player. He joins the high school team and his talent is immediately clear. He was even named the 17th best player in Florida by a magazine. The recognition is a huge honor, but according to Brian's brother, he's not in it for the fame. He's doing it to be able to take care of his family. By his senior year of high school, Brian is named one of the top NFL prospects in the nation. He gets a full ride scholarship to play football at the University of Miami and decides he wants to major in criminology. If football doesn't pan out or if he retires early, he wants to join the FBI. Brian is always looking for ways to stay busy and wants to help support his family. So in the summer before his college senior year in 2006, he and some teammates start working as bouncers at a local nightclub. But being a bouncer and having to control people who get too rowdy can come with risks, and Brian and his friends get into a few scuffles at the club. After one of these fights, rumors spread that there's a hit out on Brian and his friends. But Brian says that he has mutual friends with the people in question and they've already talked things out. But something even scarier happens later that summer. One night, Brian and two of his teammates are driving when someone targets them in a drive by shooting. One of the young men in Brian's car gets clipped by a bullet, and another boy in the car pulls out a gun and fires back. Fortunately, no one is seriously hurt, but this incident remains unsolved. After this scare, Brian realizes he needs to do more to protect himself. He already had a concealed carry license, so we bought two more guns. He also took the expensive rims off of his car and stopped wearing expensive jewelry to try and avoid being targeted again in the future. Luckily, the drama simmered down as the school year began and Brian's main focus was on football, as well as his girlfriend, Jada Brody. Brian and Jada have been together for almost a year, and they live in an off campus apartment together in a complex known as Colony Apartments. One of Brian's teammates, Dwayne Hendricks, also lives with the couple. It's Brian's senior year and he's got a lot on his plate. Especially because he and Jada have a bit of a tumultuous relationship. They're the kind of couple who breaks up one week, then starts planning their wedding the next. But at the end of the day, they love each other and Jada's extremely supportive of Brian's dreams. And it's paying off because he's shaping up to be a second or third round draft pick. Brian's teammates are excited for him as well. He has always brought a good energy to the team and was a jokester that everyone loved being around. Everyone except one teammate, 20 year old Rashawn Jones. Brian and Rashawn have had beef since Brian started dating Jada. Because Jada and Rashawn are exes, it got to a point where even the coaches would expect some arguing between the players. But things were taken to another level when they got into a fistfight in the locker room and tensions only heat up from there. At some point after the incident, Brian starts getting mysterious anonymous phone calls from someone threatening his life. One night after Brian gets one of those calls, he's so freaked out he grabs all of his guns and spends the night at his sister's house. Brian never said whether or not he thought it was ran behind the calls, but he gets more and more paranoid, especially at night. When Brian and Jada moved into the Colony Apartments, the property had advertised round the clock security and a locked gate. But the security guards usually didn't show up until pretty late. So when Brian gets home in the evening, he circles the parking lot before he gets out of his car to make sure there's no one there waiting for him. As the weeks go on, the threats seem to die down a little and Brian's able to relax and enjoy his senior year. He and jada celebrate their one year anniversary on November 6, 2006. The day after that, Brian and his teammates celebrate one of their coach's birthdays by chasing him down and dumping iced water on him. It's everything college should be. But pretty soon, Brian's college career comes to an abrupt end when he meets an untimely death. Bombas makes the most comfortable socks, underwear and T shirts. Warning, Bombas are so absurdly comfortable, you.
- [10:48]
E
May throw out all your other clothes.
- [10:49]
C
Sorry, do we legally have to say that?
- [10:52]
A
No, this is just how I talk. And I really love my Bombas. They do feel that good. And they do good too. One item purchased equals one item donated. To feel good and do good, go to bombas.com and use code audio for 20% off your first purchase that's B O M B-A-Dot com and use code audio at checkout.
- [11:12]
C
Did you know that parents ranked teaching financial literacy as the toughest life skill? That's where Greenlight comes in, the debit card and money app made for families. With Greenlight, you can send money to kids quickly, set up chores, automate allowance, and track spending with real time notifications. Kids learn how to earn, save and spend responsibly while parents have peace of mind knowing smart money habits are being built with guardrails in place. Try Greenlight Risk free today@greenlight.com Odyssey that's.
- [11:39]
A
Greenlight.Com Odyssey In 2006, 22 year old Brian Pata is trying to enjoy his senior year at the University of Miami before hopefully getting drafted into the NFL. But on November 7th of that year, Brian's fate took a tragic turn. That day, when the team is getting ready to head home after practice, a player named Chris Zellner noticed something strange. Brian was talking to someone on the phone call, but it's clearly not a casual conversation. He couldn't hear exactly what they were talking about, but it's the angriest Chris had ever seen Brian off of the field. Earlier that day, Rashawn Jones failed a drug test and was suspended from practicing and playing. So while we don't know who Brian was on the phone with, we know that Rashawn wasn't in the room with him at the time. Chris doesn't catch much more of the conversation because Brian hangs up. Then him and his roommate Dwayne both leave for the night. This was shortly before 7pm and was the last time Chris ever saw Brian. Brian and Dwayne drove separately and Dwayne had to stop for gas. So Brian beat him to the apartment complex and when he got there, the light in front of his unit was out. Brian did his usual rounds, then parked next to a dumpster, but this time when he got out of the car, someone stepped out of the shadows, pulled out a gun and shot him with a single bullet to the left side of his head, execution style. The gunshots were quiet. Most of Brian's neighbors didn't even hear them, but Brian's girlfriend Jada does and runs outside to him, but he was unresponsive. She immediately called 911, but she was in shock and hysterical, so the call was dropped. A few minutes later, Dwayne returned home and called again. Emergency services got there quickly, but sadly there was nothing they could do. At 7:07pm they pronounced him dead. At the SCENE Once Brian's family was notified, his mother Jeanette rushed to the scene wearing his jersey, number 95. She's inconsolable. Soon, Brian's coaches heard the news and called the team in for an emergency meeting. Everyone rushed back. Everyone except Brian Rashawn Jones, who's nowhere to be seen. Even though he is suspended, there's not an exemption for meetings, so people start calling him, but he doesn't pick up. No one heard from him for hours, but he finally called back one of his teammates and said that he had shut off his phone because he wanted some alone time after being suspended. But his teammates are already suspicious of him and more than one person found floats the idea that he might have had something to do with the shooting. Soon after, a witness told police he saw something suspicious at the Colony Apartments that night. The man's name is Paul Connor. He's a professor at the University of Miami and lives at the apartment complex. Paul had been walking home around 7pm on the night in question, just seven minutes before Brian was pronounced dead. As Paul approached the gate and he heard a loud pop and saw a man he didn't recognize jogging away. The man smiled at him as he ran by, but Paul was so startled from the sound of gunshots that he didn't realize what was going on. He did catch a glimpse of the man's face, though, and describes him as a young black man with a thin beard. As Paul passed the gates into the complex, he noticed that Brian's car, an Infiniti suv, still had its lights on. But from where he was, Paul couldn't see Brian's body and wasn't aware of the murder until he saw it on the news. Later, Paul's testimony helps the investigation in a couple of ways. First, it helps establish a timeline. Police are able to determine that if the car lights were still on, Paul must have walked by within a minute of when Brian was shot, since the lights on his car have a.48 6 second shutoff timer. Second, Paul also helps authorities create a sketch of the man he saw. By now, investigators have spoken with the team members who believe Rashawn may have been involved and Rashawn matches Paul's description. Paul is given two picture lineups, one without Rashawn and one with and he identifies Rashawn right away. However, he says he's only 90% sure because the facial hair in the picture is different from what he saw. But that was enough for the police to question Rashawn, and when they did, they found gaps in his story. First, Rashaun said he did go to the emergency meeting, but investigators already knew that wasn't true, and he eventually walks back on that claim and says he was actually home all night. However, when investigators check his phone records, they quickly found out that that was a lie, too, because his cell phone records had pinged multiple cell phone towers in a pattern that suggested he was out driving, although it did not provide them with an exact location at the time of Brian's murder. Authorities also discovered that Rashawn changed his phone number that same night, and when they asked him about it, he said it's because he didn't want people texting him about the suspension. Detectives then talked to a to a few other people, including Rashawn's girlfriend, who said that he was at her house that night, but not until much later. They also spoke with a teammate who says Ruan asked him for money to leave town that night. The evidence is not painting a good picture for Rashawn, and it only gets worse when the detectives conclude that the murder weapon was a.38 caliber gun exactly like the one Rashawn reportedly owns. But the police never find the weapon itself. What we do know is that ultimately they don't have enough to arrest Rashawn. He ends up staying in town, and by the time the final game of the season rolls around, he's no longer suspended, and in the moment of silence for Brian, he kneels with the rest of his teammates. A few months later, when the school year came to a close, Brian was posthumously awarded his degree in criminology, and at his funeral, his family buries him in a beige suit that he'd planned to wear for the NFL draft in April. Brian's family grieves heavily for him, and inspired by his legacy, three of his siblings go back to school. The following year, the Pata family gets a small consolation when Colony Apartments settles with them in court for falsely advertising their security measures. The family is awarded $2 million, which they use to start the Brian Pata foundation, an organization that aims to reduce gun violence and promote education and athletics. Meanwhile, Jada gives the family their space because Brian's mom, Jeanette, had never really quite warmed up to her. But she often posts on memorial pages to say how much she misses Brian. Some people wonder if she's posting so much because she feels guilty about something. And for a moment, it seems like their suspicions aren't totally unfounded, because In December of 2006, police questioned Jada's twin brother, Jerome, as a person of interest. But ultimately, they find no evidence. That Jerome was in Miami at the time of the murder. The investigation cools down and over the years, the police follow several more leads, but none of them amount to anything. However, the case remains open and authorities occasionally hint to the press that they have strong leads. Then, in 2017, over 10 years since Brian's death, the Miami Dade Police make a shocking announcement.
- [19:44]
B
Hiring isn't just about finding someone willing to take the job. It's about getting the right person with the right background who can move your business forward and to find candidates who match what you're looking for. Trust Indeed Sponsored Jobs Stop struggling to get your job. Post even seen on other sites. Give your job the best chance to be seen with Indeed's sponsored Jobs. They help you stand out and hire quality candidates who can drive the results you need. Sponsored Jobs Boost your post for quality candidates so you can reach the exact people you want faster. Join the 1.6 million companies that sponsor their jobs with Indeed. Spend more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results. Now with Indeed Sponsored Jobs and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves@ Indeed.com listen just go to Indeed.com listen right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com listen terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the right way with Indeed.
- [20:50]
C
Just got a new puppy or kitten. Congrats. But also yikes. Between CR Pets, beds, toys, treats and those first few vet visits, you've probably already dropped a small fortune. Which is where Lemonade Pet Insurance comes in. It helps cover vet costs so you can focus on what's best for your new pet. The coverage is customizable, sign up is quick and easy, and your claims are handled in as little as three seconds. Lemonade offers a package specifically for puppies and kittens. Get a'llemonade.com pet your future self will thank you. Your pet won't. They don't know what insurance is.
- [21:25]
A
Looking.
- [21:25]
F
For the perfect gift this holiday season. Make it something they'll actually use and love.
- [21:31]
A
Primly.
- [21:31]
F
Pure's limited edition bundles are ready to wrap, toxin free and intentionally crafted. From tallow body butters and natural deodorant to cozy, festive seasonal scents, these products are made exclusively for the most wonderful time of year. Skip the storage stress of last minute shopping. These small batch Beyond Sustainable skincare sets make gifting easy and intentional. Give more than a gift. Give a ritual that nurtures skin, body and mind beyond the season Get a head start on the season with primally pure and bring warmth, wellness and nostalgic joy into your home with non toxic rituals everyone will love.
- [22:14]
A
In 2017, the Miami Dade Police say they have a suspect in the 2006 murder of college football star Brian Pata and that they are close to making an arrest. Authorities specifically reach out to the sports media outlet ESPN as a way to drum up interest. But when ESPN reporters ask for specific details, they aren't told much. Suddenly, the police walk back on their claims and admit that they don't actually have a suspect. By this point, the reporters sense there's more to this story, something the authorities aren't willing to disclose. So in 2020, ESPN takes the Miami Dade Police to court for violating open records laws and refusing to release information on a cold case. However, the police refute this in court and the judge sides with them and says the records can be kept sealed. To the reporters and many members of the public, it's starting to seem like it's all a big game to the authorities. But then, on August 19, 2021, the Miami Dade Police finally make an arrest, and the person they take into custody is none other than Rashawn Jones. Rashawn, who's now in his late 30s, is charged with second degree murder for the death of Brian Pata, and he officially pleads not guilty the following September. But with an $850,000 bail, he is unable to pay it, and as of this recording, he remains in jail. At the same time, authorities never reveal what led to their arrest. But in 2022, investigators re interview Brian's former neighbor Paul Connor, who once again picks Rashawn out of a lineup. However, at this point, Paul's statement isn't foolproof. The murder happened 16 years ago, and he's now 78 years old and has a lot of health issues. Police also record a video testimony in case he's unable to attend trial at a later date. Finally, three years later, in 2025, the trial is supposed to move forward. In July, prosecutors tell the judge that Paul Connor had passed away. They don't have a death certificate, but they say they couldn't locate him at his current address and a third party database confirmed he was deceased. So the judge rules that they'll use his prior testimony. But reporters at ESPN don't think authorities are giving the full story, so they decide to search for Paul themselves. They reach out to his contacts, and one of them calls in a welfare check for Paul. On July 22, 2025, police in Louisville, Kentucky find Paul alive and well at his last known address. ESPN interviews him on August 25th and Paul says the Miami police never contacted him and that he didn't even know anyone was looking for him. However, when asked about the case itself, he does admit that his memory isn't the best and he can't recall many of the details. Despite Paul's fading memory. Rashawn's lawyer, Sarah Alvarez, wants to have a hearing to see if the prosecution intentionally covered up the fact that Paul was still alive and is fighting to have Paul testify so he can be cross examined. Due to this fiasco, the trial has been moved to February 9, 2026, which means that if justice is finally served, it will be more than 2020 years after the murder. 20 years that Brian's family has waited for answers. But when it comes to Paul Connor, the matter has been settled. Earlier this month, a judge ruled that he is not mentally fit to testify in front of a jury and his prior testimony will be used instead. We'll be watching for any more details that come out between now and the trial and as always, we'll bring you all the of the major updates what did you think of tonight's case? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments. See you next time. If you haven't already, subscribe to our YouTube channel Rimehouse Daily and follow us on social media Rimehouse24.7 for real time updates because the pursuit of justice never stops. Foreign.
- [26:42]
E
It'S okay not to be perfect with finances. Experian is your big financial friend and here to help. Did you know you can get matched with credit cards on the app? Some cards are labeled no Ding Decline which means if you're not approved, they won't hurt your credit scores. Download the Experian app for free today. Applying for no Ding decline cards won't hurt your credit scores if you aren't initially approved. Initial approval will result in a hard inquiry which may impact your credit scores.
- [27:10]
A
Experience Twisted Tales with Heidi Wong is perfect for spooky season. Dive into the real events behind the world's most terrifying blockbusters and beyond. Twisted Tales is a crime house original. Listen wherever you get your podcasts new episodes out every Monday.
- [27:34]
E
This episode is brought to you by LifeLock. It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month and LifeLock has tips to protect your identity. Use strong passwords, set up multi factor authentication, report phishing and update the software on your devices. And for comprehensive identity protection, let LifeLock alert you to suspicious uses of your personal information. Lifelock also fixes identity theft guaranteed or your money back. Stay smart, safe and protected with a 30 day free trial@lifelock.com podcast terms apply.