Aaron Hernandez, Former Patriots Player, Charged With Murdering Odin Lloyd

Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriot's tight end, was charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday, after a week of investigations into the homicide.

On Monday, June 17, 27-year-old semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd’s body was found near Hernandez’s North Attleboro, Mass., home. The following day, Hernandez was questioned and his house searched after a car rented in his name was found near the crime scene. It was reported at the time that the athlete was initially uncooperative with authorities before complying with their requests.

Since the investigation into Hernandez began, his house has been searched multiple times. During those searches, police discovered that Hernandez had tried to destroy his home security system and was in the illegal possession of multiple firearms. In addition to the murder charge, he faces charges of possessing a firearm without a license, possessing a large capacity firearm and a firearm without an ID card, reported USA Today Sports.

Hernandez has pled not guilty to all charges. His attorney Michael Fee claimed that the prosecution made “a circumstantial, not a strong case.” Fee attempted to convince the judge that since Hernandez posed no flight risk, he should be released on bail. However, prosecuting attorney William McCauley, who alleges Hernandez orchestrated Lloyd's execution-style murder, successfully convinced Judge Daniel J. O’Shea to hold Hernandez without bail.

Responding to Hernandez’s arrest, the New England Patriots put out a statement announcing that they’ve chosen to release the tight end from their roster: “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."

Hernandez racked up 175 receptions for nearly 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns since the New England Patriots drafted him in the fourth round in 2010. Last August, Hernandez signed a seven-year contract extension worth $41.1 million, with a signing bonus of $12.5 million.

Hernandez is concurrently at the center of a civil suit, in which he is accused of shooting a man in the eye in Miami this past February while departing a strip club. The accuser, Alexander Bradley, has not been fully cooperating with authorities, according to a Palm Beach County police report.

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