NFL player Aaron Hernandez pleads not guilty to the first degree murder charge of Odin Lloyd. He also pleads not guilty to five firearms charges including one large capacity firearm. The former New England Patriots NFL Star allegedly drove his friend to a remote industrial park, and shot him in the back along with two friends, according to US News. Prosecutors said a fight the two friends had at a Boston nightclub prompted the killing.
First Assistant District Attorney William McCauley in Attleboro District court commented “as Lloyd tried to turn he was shot in the back and the defendant and his confederates stood over him and delivered the two fatal shots. (Hernandez) orchestrated the crime from the beginning and took steps to conceal and destroy evidence.” Michael Fee, Hernandez’s attorney has been quoted as having said, ”It is not a strong case, at bottom it is a circumstantial case.”
According to NBC News, it had seemed as if fingerprints that would implicate Hernandez in the crime had been attempted to be wiped away. This kind of attempt to obstruct the justice process or tamper with evidence can only further implicate Hernandez. The prosecutors of the case seem like they have their work cut out for them as there is video camera surveillance proving Hernandez’s whereabouts as well as text messages he sent to his friends and his sister regarding his anger towards his victim, semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd. The ‘orchestration’ of the crime can easily be corroborated by the videos, texts, and testimonies by the neighbors and overnight workers who heard gunshots.
More evidence against Hernandez was his car rental. He was shown with firearms going to and from the site where Lloyd’s body was later found. He was seen on his own security surveillance videos exiting the vehicle at 3:29 am with a gun, and that was only shortly after the time Lloyd was killed. One week later Hernandez was placed in cuffs. Located near the Patriots stadium, his home had been searched by police many times. After Hernandez’s arrest, the Patriots released him from his contract. Hernandez was drafted by the Patriots in 2010. His 5-year contract was worth $40 million, including his sign-on bonus of $12.5 million. The Patriots released the statement “A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.”
Lloyd’s death was ruled a homicide. Hernandez is likely to face life in prison without parole.
Image Credit: US News