Archives For Aaron Hernandez
Hernandez investigated after Tuesday altercation

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — A Massachusetts sheriff says former NFL star Aaron Hernandez has been involved in a jail altercation.
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson tells Rhode Island’s WJAR-TV that the former New England Patriots tight end had an altercation at the Bristol County House of Corrections on Tuesday.
Hodgson said he couldn’t provide much information, but told the TV station that Hernandez and another inmate are part of an internal investigation at the jail. He said Hernandez is away from the general jail population in a segregated housing unit.
The 24-year-old Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in the killing of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. The Boston man was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancee.
Robert J. Valentine died in scooter crash

During a bail hearing at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River on Thursday, prosecutors said “the evidence of his guilt is overwhelming.”
AP Photo/Ted Fitzgerald, Pool
BRISTOL, Conn. —Police say an uncle of jailed former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was operating a motor scooter under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he died in a Connecticut crash in August.
Bristol police say their investigation concluded Robert J. Valentine drove in a negligent manner while under the influence. They say he had alcohol and cocaine in his system.
Police also say he was operating the scooter at night with dark-colored sunglasses, which likely hampered his vision.
Hernandez grew up in Bristol. He’s charged with murder in the shooting death of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd, a Boston resident who was dating the sister of Hernandez’s girlfriend.
Lloyd’s body was found June 17 near Hernandez’s mansion in North Attleborough, Mass. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty.
Several people linked to Hernandez have died recently.
Defense says DA violated gag order
FALL RIVER, Mass. —A judge may impose a formal gag order in the murder case against former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez after his attorneys accused the state of allowing leaks they contend could jeopardize his right to a fair trial.
At a hearing in Fall River Superior Court on Monday, defense attorney Michael Fee blamed prosecutors for out-of-court statements reported in the media that he says have tarnished the ex-player.
“Mr. Hernandez is entitled to a fair trial,” Fee told Judge Susan Garsh during the hour-long proceeding. “He is entitled to a jury panel that has not been poisoned by either false or sensational statements.”
The judge did not immediately rule on the defense’s request for a formal gag order.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in the June shooting death of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old semi-professional football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez’s girlfriend.
In a November filing, Hernandez’s attorneys said the state had “flouted” the rules of professional conduct and disregarded the judge’s admonition against prejudicial out-of-court commentary.
The defense said the prosecution orchestrated a “publicity stunt” in October, when authorities served Miami Dolphin Michael Pouncey with a subpoena related to the case after playing the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Pouncey played football with Hernandez at the University of Florida. The defense said serving the subpoena in that way and statements to the media attributed to law enforcement sources whipped up more publicity about the case.
The prosecution has not commented publicly on the subpoena.
In court Monday, Assistant District Attorney William McCauley denied the allegations, saying no leaks have come from the district attorney’s office or the investigative team.
“We are playing fair,” he said. “We’ve agreed to the rules of professional conduct, and we’re abiding by them.”
McCauley accused the defense of misconduct by calling into question the state’s integrity, without evidence of who was responsible for any leaks.
Despite sparring in court, the two sides agreed in principle on the issuance of a gag order. The judge asked both to submit specific proposals for a formal order, both due in January.
Hernandez, who’s from Bristol, Conn., was in court Monday but did not speak. His girlfriend, Shayanna Jenkins, and mother also attended. Jenkins is facing a perjury charge related to her testimony before the grand jury that indicted Hernandez. She has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege Hernandez killed Lloyd because he was upset with him for talking to some people at a nightclub with whom Hernandez had problems.
“We are playing fair,” he said. “We’ve agreed to the rules of professional conduct, and we’re abiding by them.”
McCauley accused the defense of misconduct by calling into question the state’s integrity, without evidence of who was responsible for any leaks.
Despite sparring in court, the two sides agreed in principle on the issuance of a gag order. Rather than ruling Monday, Garsh asked both to submit specific proposals for a formal order, both due in January.
Hernandez was in court Monday but did not speak. His girlfriend, Shayanna Jenkins, and mother also attended. Jenkins is facing a perjury charge related to her testimony before the grand jury that indicted Hernandez. She has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege Hernandez killed Lloyd because he was upset with him for talking to some people at a nightclub with whom Hernandez had problems.