Aaron Hernandez faces murder charge in Odin Lloyd slaying
No bail allowed; first-degree murder among six charges
Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is facing charges that include first-degree murder, a judge announced Wednesday in a Massachusetts courtroom.
The day that began with Hernandez's arrest, followed about two hours later with the Patriots announcing his release.
Hernandez was ordered held without bail. Proceedings were shown live from the courtroom. He appeared handcuffed and shackled.
The case involves the June 17 slaying of Odin Lloyd, 27, a semi-pro football player. It was treated as a homicide after Lloyd's body was found by a jogger that morning. A week's worth of investigation involved video surveillance footage, evidence gathered at Hernandez's home and other sites and forensics work by local and state police.
The charges: murder, firearm without a license, possessing large capacity firearm (two counts), possession firearm without a firearms identification card (two counts). If convicted, Hernandez could get life in prison without parole.
Next date in court for Aaron Hernandez will be July 24.
Lloyd's family members were in the courtroom in Attleboro, Mass., while charges were read and a prosecutor described in graphic detail the death and events surrounding it. Two left during the proceedings, apparently overcome by grief.
From the Massachusetts State Police on Twitter: "Hernandez charged with Murder, Unlawful possession of a firearm, Possession of a large capacity firearm. Invest ongoing. No further updates."
Additional details from the courtroom through Victoria Warren of 7NEWS, Boston's WHDH-TV, on Twitter:
First assistant district attorney Bill McCauley "says Lloyd was shot multiple times, in groin, arm, side, chest and back. DA says appears semi automatic weapon used. DA says Hernandez and Lloyd spoke in hours before murder. DA: key found in victims pocket was to a car rented by Hernandez. DA: Aaron Hernandez home has 14 cameras. Footage missing from hours after murder."
"DA: shell casings recovered from scene at Lloyd's feet. Lloyd shot and killed in industrial park"
McCauley also shared final text messages from Lloyd to a family member: "Did you see who I'm with?" ... "NFL" ... "Just so you know"
McCauley also said in court that Hernandez was seen on home surveillance carrying a gun in hand. There were two other men involved in the case, but there was no immediate information on either man.
Hernandez "drove the victim to the remote spot, and then he orchestrated his execution," McCauley said.
Michael Fee, lead attorney for Hernandez, called the evidence circumstantial. His request for bail was denied. Outside court afterwards, he refused additional comment accept to say Hernandez "was fine."
Lloyd's relatives said he was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee, that the two men were friends and that the men were together on the last night of Lloyd's life.
Lloyd was shot multiple times in the back and chest, authorities said.
In court, prosecutors described a killing borne out of a dispute at a Boston nightclub on the night of June 14, but they didn't say exactly what supposedly happened to anger Hernandez.
Hernandez and two friends picked up Lloyd at home at 2:30 a.m. ET on June 17, McCauley said. Surveillance footage from Hernandez's home in North Attleborough, Mass., shows him leaving earlier with a gun. Hernandez also told someone in the house that he was upset and couldn't trust anyone anymore, the prosecutor said.
After picking up Lloyd, Hernandez said he was upset with Lloyd because Lloyd had spoken with people Hernandez had trouble with during their outing to the nightclub, McCauley said.
After that conversation, Lloyd texted his sister, "Did you see who I am with," the prosecutor said. When his asked who, he answered at 3:22 a.m. ET, "NFL," then, a minute later, "Just so you know," he said.
Between 3:23 a.m. and 3:27 a.m. ET, people working the overnight shift at the industrial park reported hearing gunshots, McCauley said.
It's not clear who investigators believe fired the shots.
Fee asked for bail, saying Hernandez is not a flight risk, is a homeowner and lives with his fiancee and an 8-month-old daughter.
"It is at bottom a circumstantial case. It is not a strong case," Fee said.
Hernandez was wearing a white V-neck T-shirt, with his arms inside the shirt and behind his back as he was led from his North Attleborough home before 9 a.m. ET Wednesday. He appeared in court in similar attire, although his hands were cuffed in front of him. Visible were Hernandez's numerous tattoos.
Hernandez was taken from the North Attleborough police station to his court hearing Wednesday. About two dozen supporters cheered, some yelling "We love you Aaron," as the car carrying him left the police station.
At about 10:20 a.m. ET, the Patriots announced they had released Hernandez and expressed sympathy to Lloyd's family and friends.
"Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation," the Patriots said in a statement. "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."
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The NFL also issued a statement on Wednesday that read: "The involvement of an NFL player in a case of this nature is deeply troubling. The Patriots have released Aaron Hernandez, who will have his day in court. At the same time, we should not forget the young man who was the victim in this case and take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathy to Odin Lloyd's family and friends."
Lloyd's mother, Ursula Ward, declined to comment at her Boston home Wednesday morning.
"Nothing to say, please. Thank you," she said, before shutting the door.
State police searched in and around Hernandez's sprawling home in North Attleborough several times. At least three search warrants have been issued in connection with the investigation.
The Patriots drafted Hernandez, who is originally from Bristol, Conn., out of the University of Florida in 2010. Last summer, the team gave him a five-year contract worth $40 million.
During the draft, one team said it wouldn't take him under any circumstances, and he was passed over by one club after another before New England took him in the fourth round.
Afterward, Hernandez said he had failed a drug test in college — reportedly for marijuana — and was up front with teams about it.
In other off-the-field troubles, the Boston Globe reported that Hernandez lost his temper and threatened a teammate during an argument in the team's weight room shortly after he was drafted.
Hernandez became a father on Nov. 6, and said he intended to change his ways: "Now, another one is looking up to me. I can't just be young and reckless Aaron no more. I'm going to try to do the right things."
DAMN DUDE!
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