Ex-Giants receiver Travis Rudolph celebrates on Instagram Live after beating murder charge
Former Giants receiver Travis Rudolph is enjoying his freedom after being found not guilty on all counts in a 2021 fatal shooting in Lake Park, Fla. on Wednesday.
Rudolph, 27, was acquitted of one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder from a shooting that left one man dead at his home on April 7, 2021.
Shortly after news of the verdict was made public, Rudolph took to Instagram Live to celebrate at what appeared to be a backyard party with friends.
The former Florida State standout was all smiles while shirtless in the video, which showed him lip-syncing the Lil Durk song “No Auto Durk.”
“This s–t real,” Rudolph said repeatedly before turning the camera to show his ankle without a police monitor.
“New ankle, who dis,” he said repeatedly.
“He’s back,” another person can be heard saying.
Rudolph was released from jail on house arrest last year.
Warning: Graphic language
The Palm Beach Post reported Wednesday that a jury in West Palm Beach rejected the option to convict Rudolph of second-degree murder and manslaughter, ending the two-week trial with fewer than four hours of deliberation.
Rudolph pleaded not guilty to the charges, citing self-defense.
“I got my freedom back,” Rudolph said following the jury’s decision, according to WPTV, “and I can get back to my life.
“I’m definitely going to celebrate with my family, get back to trying to play football and everything.”
The fatal shooting in 2021 followed a dispute with Dominique Jones, who was allegedly Rudolph’s girlfriend at the time.
Rudolph wound up shooting at a car containing four men who had confronted him following the altercation, killing one — Sebastien Jean-Jacques — and injuring another, according to the Palm Beach Post.
He requested to have the case dismissed in 2022 under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, but was denied.
Now, he’s looking to make a return to the field.
Rudolph’s agent told ESPN Wednesday that the wideout is interested in returning to football.
The Florida State product signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
He was the Seminoles’ top receiver in 2015 and 2016, and finished his collegiate career with 2,311 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.
Rudolph caught eight passes for 101 yards across seven NFL games, including a stint with the Dolphins.
He signed with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019, but was released two years later following his arrest.
He never played for the Blue Bombers due to the pandemic.
