Aaron Hernandez, the former tight end for the New England Patriots, has been indicted on Thursday for first degree murder. The ex-NFL star allegedly killed Odin Lloyd in an execution-style murder in an industrial pit near the football player's million-dollar home in North Attleboro. Hernandez was initially arrested in connection with Lloyd's murder on June 26, since then the grand jury of Bristol County, Massachusetts has been investigating his involvement.
Hernandez, 23, has pleaded not guilty, however he has been held without bail in the Bristol County House of Correction in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts since his arrest in June. According to authorities, Hernandez and his two accomplices, identified as Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace, picked up Lloyd from his apartment in mid-June. Surveillance cameras provided substantial evidence for investigators, the footage showed the car at an industrial park near his North Attleborough, Massachusetts, home. Only a few days later, Lloyd's bullet-riddled body was found in that industrial park.
According to CNN, prosecutors believe that Hernandez orchestrated the execution of Lloyd, who was shot five times with a .45 caliber handgun. According to a recently released court document, one of Hernandez's accomplices is cooperating with police. Carlos Ortiz told authorities that Wallace said Hernandez fired the shots that killed Lloyd. Wallace was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and has pleaded not guilty. Ortiz has pleaded not guilty to a weapons charge.
Meanwhile, Hernandez is under investigation of another murder, a notable 2012 double-homicide in Boston. Another grand jury from Suffolk County, Massachusetts will decide if Hernandez will be formally indicted for the murder of Daniel Abreu, 29, and Safiro Furtado, 28.
Authorities are seeming to already be building another substantial case against the footballer. According to the Providence Journal, police seized a Toyota 4-Runner from a garage in Bristol, Connecticut that is owned by Hernandez's uncle, Andres "Tito'' Valderrama. Police said they believe the sports-utility vehicle was used in the fatal drive-by shooting.
In addition to the murder charge Hernandez also faces five gun charges. If convicted, Hernandez faces a possible sentence of life in prison without parole. Following his arraignment, prosecutors and defense lawyers will begin preparing for a trial that could take place sometime next year.
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