It is always news when an athlete gets arrested, but when it is for first degree murder, it is shocking. Â Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was charged with one count of first degree murder as well as five weapons charges. Â Hernandez is accused of shooting his friend semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. Â His body was found about a mile from Hernandez’s Massachusetts home and was last seen leaving a bar with the tight end. Police allege the two “friends” got into an altercation after leaving the bar.
Hernandez was not granted bail and has sat in jail since June 26th. Â His fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, was also arrested in connection with the murder. Â She is facing one count of perjury for allegedly lying about talking to Hernandez on the day of the murder. Â She has remained out of jail and is caring for the couple’s young daughter. Â The victim was dating Jenkins’ sister.
After the arrest was announced, the Patriots released Hernandez. Â The NFLPA is currently working on recovering the $6.292 million that was guaranteed to him. Â Â Two other people were also arrested in connection to the murder. Â Ernest Wallace has been accused of accessory to murder, while Carlos Ortiz is the one who admits to being in the car with Wallace, Hernandez, and Lloyd, but insists it was Wallace and Hernandez who got out of the car and committed the crime.
Since the news broke, Hernandez’s name has been associated with multiple murders. Â Some date back to when he was still a student at University of Florida. Â One of his former teammates there, Mike Pouncey, now the center for the Miami Dolphins, has been served a subpoena in relation to interstate gun trafficking. Â Pouncey is not accused of any wrongdoings and has not been arrested.
