Originally posted on usnews.nbcnews
Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was formally charged Wednesday afternoon with murder, more than a week after a body was found near his Massachusetts home.
Hernandez was also charged with several counts of unlawful possession of firearms. A judge ordered him to be held without bail.
Wearing a white V-neck shirt, red sports shorts, and handcuffs in Attleboro District Court, Hernandez showed no emotion as attorneys for the victim laid out a bruising account of what allegedly happened the night semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd was killed, citing what they say is surveillance camera footage, text messages, and witnesses who were working the overnight shift who heard gunshots as evidence. He wiped tears from his face at the very end of the arraignment.
The body of Lloyd, 27, was found June 17 in an industrial park about one mile away from the ex-tight end's North Attleborough home. The death was ruled a homicide.
Hernandez, 23, was placed in handcuffs and put in a police cruiser just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday by Massachusetts State Police and North Attleborough police. Authorities have searched his home, on the Rhode Island line not far from the Patriots' stadium, several times over the past week.
Less than two hours after the arrest, the Patriots announced they were releasing Hernandez.
"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," a statement from the team read.
The Patriots drafted Hernandez in 2010. Last summer, the team gave Hernandez a five-year contract that is worth $40 million, including a signing bonus of $12.5 million.
The investigation also cost Hernandez his endorsement contract with CytoSport, which makes Muscle Milk and other supplements for athletes, last week.
A call to Hernandez's attorney was not immediately returned.
Lloyd has been described as having unspecified ties to Hernandez, friends and family told NBC affiliate in Boston WHDH.
“My son is a wonderful child. He’s a family guy, he has not done anything to hurt anyone,” Lloyd’s mother Ursula Ward said. “First and foremost I would like to thank the person that found my son. I would like to say God put him in the right place at the right time.”
Separately, Hernandez is also embroiled in a civil lawsuit by a Connecticut man, Alexander Bradley, who alleges Hernandez shot him in the eye after the two left a Miami strip club in February.
According to a Palm Beach County police report, the case was abandoned because Bradley refused to cooperate with authorities.
Hernandez lives with his fiancee and their infant, according to his attorney.
Florida lawsuit alleges Patriots' Hernandez shot friend in face
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published on Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:53 PM EDT
.jpg)
.jpg)
0 comments