New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez arrested on murder charge - Trial set to begin January 9, 2015 #3

Extreme Atrocity or Cruelty

For purposes of the criminal charge of Murder, extreme atrocity or cruelty means that the defendant caused the person's death by a method that surpassed the cruelty inherent in any taking of a human life.  Extreme atrocity means an act that is extremely wicked or brutal, appalling, horrifying or utterly revolting.  

The jury must consider whether the method or mode of a killing is so shocking as to amount to murder by extreme atrocity or cruelty.  In making this determination, the jury must inquire consider the presence and degree of the following factors, and at least one or more of these factors must be present for a finding of extreme atrocity or cruelty:

•Whether the defendant was indifferent to or took pleasure in the suffering of the deceased;
•The consciousness and degree of suffering of the deceased;
•The extent of the injuries to the deceased;
•The number of blows delivered;
•The manner, degree and severity of the force used;
•The nature of the weapon, instrument or method used; and
•The disproportion between the means needed to cause death and those employed.  This refers to whether the means used were excessive and out of proportion to what would be needed to kill a person.

Read more:

http://www.bostoncriminallawyer.com/lawyer-attorney-1578594.html

Rethinking Mens Rea for Extreme Atrocity or Cruelty

Posted: January 7, 2015 | Author: bbabarjournal | Filed under: Viewpoint, Winter 2015 Vol. 59 #1  | Tags: Boston Bar


by Alex G. Philipson

Viewpoint

Currently in Massachusetts, the only mens rea required for first-degree murder by extreme atrocity or cruelty is malice aforethought—the same mens rea required for second-degree murder. See Commonwealth v. Cunneen, 389 Mass. 216, 227 (1983). The mental state may be identical, but the punishment is very different: for first-degree murder, it is life imprisonment without parole; for second-degree, it is life with the possibility of parole after fifteen years. What distinguishes proof of the greater offense is evidence of extraordinary brutality or suffering. Id. at 227–228. But the Commonwealth need not prove the defendant intended, or was even aware of, this heightened savagery. Id.

Is it time to reconsider this law? At least two Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court (and one former Justice) think so. See Commonwealth v. Berry, 466 Mass. 763, 774–778 (2014) (Gants, J., concurring, joined by C.J. Ireland [now retired] and Duffly, J.). See also Commonwealth v. Riley, 467 Mass. 799, 828–829 (2014) (Duffly, J., concurring). They say it is unfair to allow a jury to find that a defendant acted with extreme atrocity or cruelty without proof that he intended, or was indifferent to, the victim’s extraordinary pain. Riley, 467 Mass. at 828–829; Berry, 466 Mass. at 776–778. The point is well taken.

Consider a hypothetical case where a jury heard evidence that a defendant killed a victim by repeatedly striking him in the head with a tire iron. On the theory of extreme atrocity or cruelty, the jury would be instructed that they could find the defendant guilty if they found any one of seven factors—only one of which is subjective: the defendant’s indifference to, or taking pleasure in, the victim’s suffering. See Cunneen, 389 Mass. at 227. The other six factors are objective: the victim’s consciousness and degree of suffering; the extent of physical injuries; the number of blows; the manner and force of blows; the instrument used; and the disproportion between the means needed to cause death and those used. Id. So, the jury could sidestep the question of the defendant’s intent or awareness of the victim’s suffering by focusing solely on one or more of the objective factors—e.g., that the instrument used (a tire iron) can cause grotesque injuries. To be sure, there is one circumstance when a jury is required to consider the subjective factor: when there is evidence suggesting the defendant was mentally impaired. See Commonwealth v. Gould, 380 Mass. 672, 685–686 (1980). But even then, the Commonwealth is still not required to disprove the defendant’s impairment; evidence of impairment is simply a factor that the jury can weigh as they see fit.

Read more:

http://bostonbarjournal.com/2015/01/07/rethinking-mens-rea-for-extreme-atrocity-or-cruelty/

Murder in the First Degree

Massachusetts General Law chapter 265 § 1:
The unlawful killing of a human being accomplished in one or more of the following modes:
(1) with deliberately premeditated malice aforethought; or
(2) with extreme atrocity or cruelty; or
(3) in the commission or attempted commission of a felony punishable by death or imprisonment for life.

Deliberately Premeditated Malice Aforethought

Massachusetts law defines murder in the first degree as including murder committed with deliberately premeditated malice aforethought. The term "deliberate premeditation" describes the mental process of the perpetrator in formulating the purpose to kill. In its most basic sense, it means that the perpetrator acted after taking time to reflect on his course of conduct. Massachusetts law does not require that the period of reflection be lengthy, so long as it affords the perpetrator an opportunity to consider his course of conduct.

In addition to premeditation, first degree murder also requires "malice aforethought". This description of the perpetrator's state of mind basically means that he or she had an intent to inflict injury without legal justification or excuse (legal justification included such defenses as self-defense, while excuse includes mental illness and duress). Malice aforethought is comprised of any one of the following three elements: (1) an intent to kill; (2) an intent to inflict grievous bodily injury; or (3) an intent to act in a manner that creates a plain and strong likelihood that death or grievous harm will follow. Of these three prongs of malice, the first two prongs require a specific intent on the part of the defendant, measured subjectively, while the third prong only requires a general intent, measured both subjectively and objectively. Accordingly, malice aforethought may exist without an actual intent to kill or do grievous bodily harm, if there is proof of the "third prong" of malice. This simply means that the perpetrator knew of circumstances that a reasonably prudent person would have known created a plain and strong likelihood of death or grievous bodily harm resulting from the perpetrator's act. The law can infer malice from circumstantial evidence, such as from the intentional use of a deadly weapon.

Extreme Atrocity or Cruelty

The second category of murder in the first degree is murder committed with extreme atrocity or cruelty. Extreme atrocity or cruelty is an element that the jury determines, when the suffering of the victim appears extreme compared to more ordinary means of producing death. When determining whether extreme atrocity or cruelty existed judges often instruct juries to consider: (1) the indifference to or taking pleasure in the victim's suffering; (2) consciousness and degree of suffering of the victim; (3) the extent of injuries; (4) the number of blows; (5) the manner and force with which blows were delivered; (6) the instrument employed; and (7) the disproportion between the means needed to cause death and those employed. Massachusetts law, however, does not require the trial judge to instruct the jury to consider all these factors.

The only mental state required of the perpetrator when extreme atrocity or cruelty exists is malice aforethought. As a result, the prosecution does not need to establish deliberate premeditation on the part of the defendant. In addition, the prosecution need not show that the accused knew his act to be extremely atrocious or cruel. A diminution of capacity by, for example, mental illness or substance ingestion, may warrant the jury refusing to find extreme atrocity or cruelty. The conscious suffering of the victim, while often present, is not a necessary element of the crime, since, even if cruelty suggests the suffering of the victim, atrocity speaks more to the manner in which the perpetrator commits the crime.

Read more:

http://www.massmurderdefense.com/pages/murder-1st.html

DA: The facts supported extreme atrocity and cruelty

Video:

http://int.msn.com/en-us/video/watch/da-the-facts-supported-extreme-atrocity-and-cruelty/vi-AAb7Shd

Thanks for all the informative, new reading material, AD.  

You are welcome, Mylife101.

Hernandez's Slim Appeal Chance Rests On Cruelty Of Slaying


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By Jenny Wilson

April 19, 2015, 2:38 PM

When Aaron Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder last week, a jury found that the government proved all but one aspect of its case: that Odin Lloyd's killing was planned in advance.

Instead, prosecutors convinced jurors that the crime was so cruel and atrocious that Hernandez deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole – the mandatory sentence for first-degree murder, which can be proven by extreme cruelty or atrocity, by premeditation, or by both.

The guilty verdict Wednesday was the worst possible outcome for the former NFL tight end. But the extreme cruelty or atrocity element of the killing could be central to Hernandez's strategy on appeal, some lawyers say. Before the case went to the jury, Hernandez's lawyers already had signaled that extreme cruelty and atrocity could be a focus of their appellate argument, should the need arise.

Hernandez, 25, is entitled to an automatic appeal before the state's highest court, but the odds are against him, as only a small percentage of criminal convictions in Massachusetts are reversed by higher courts.

Read more:

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-aaron-hernandez-guilty-verdict-20150419-story.html

Sheriff says Aaron Hernandez views jail “more like training camp”
April 21, 2015

...“He didn’t really have much of a change in his demeanor. He pretty much still had a swagger in his step.”

Hodgson also said Hernandez tried to trade on his charisma and status as a former football player to his advantage.

“He would make every effort to get extra sandwiches,” Hodgson said. “He would just try to convince the officers to give him more than what they otherwise could get.”

While Hodgson said Hernandez was generally polite, he did get into a fight with another inmate, and was “accused of threatening to kill a prison guard and his family.”


It’s almost like he’s a bad guy, or something.

Read more:  http://www.courtchatter.com/#!Sheriff-says-Aaron-Hernandez-views-jail-%E2%80%9Cmore-like-training-camp%E2%80%9D/c1oiw/5536a0870cf2731334e1e620

(BBM)  Wow.  Even in prison, he's still threatening people.  Just wow.

This article indicates that the fight and threatening to kill a guard happened while he was in jail, not after he got to prison:

http://news.yahoo.com/sheriff-ex-nfl-star-aaron-hernandez-master-manipulator-165905975--spt.html

Odin Lloyd’s Mother Announces Wrongful Death Suit Against Aaron Hernandez

By Nik DeCosta-Klipa @NikDeCostaKlipa
Boston.com Staff | 04.21.15 | 4:12 PM
 
The mother of Odin Lloyd will announce a wrongful death lawsuit against former New England Patriot tight end Aaron Hernandez on Wednesday, reported WBZ NewsRadio Tuesday afternoon. Ursula Ward will reportedly hold a press conference to announce the civil suit against Hernandez, who was convicted April 15 for the first-degree murder of her son.

During victim statement following the conviction last week, Ward said she forgave those that had a hand in her son’s killing.

“And I pray and hope that someday everyone out there will forgive them also,” she said.

Read more:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/04/21/odin-lloyd-mother-announces-wrongful-death-suit-against-aaron-hernandez/1PS0bFsXWzP9eCqW8PhqCN/story.html

Aaron Hernandez to be called to testify in wrongful death lawsuit

BOSTON - A lawyer for the family of a man slain by Aaron Hernandez plans to call the former New England Patriots star to the stand in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Speaking alongside Odin Lloyd's mother, lawyer Doug Sheff promised the case would take a different tone than Hernandez's criminal trial, which ended April 15 with his conviction and sentencing to life in prison for Lloyd's 2013 murder.
Sheff said Hernandez won't be able to avoid testifying by pleading the Fifth Amendment.

He says Lloyd's mother, Ursula Ward, wants to know what happened and why.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/aaron-hernandez-to-be-called-to-testify-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit/

Weeziethm wrote:Aaron Hernandez to be called to testify in wrongful death lawsuit

BOSTON - A lawyer for the family of a man slain by Aaron Hernandez plans to call the former New England Patriots star to the stand in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Speaking alongside Odin Lloyd's mother, lawyer Doug Sheff promised the case would take a different tone than Hernandez's criminal trial, which ended April 15 with his conviction and sentencing to life in prison for Lloyd's 2013 murder.
Sheff said Hernandez won't be able to avoid testifying by pleading the Fifth Amendment.

He says Lloyd's mother, Ursula Ward, wants to know what happened and why.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/aaron-hernandez-to-be-called-to-testify-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit/

Good! I am glad he has to answer the questions.
Odin's mother seems like a very nice woman and I feel bad for what she and her family are having to go thru now.


Arron had every man's dream. Prestige, name recognition, huge future in sponsorships, big income for many years... and he could not leave the street hood behind. He could not adjust. Had to keep a hand in the drugs and guns and street life. Had it all and threw it away. What a shame. What a wasted opportunity. Worse, he had to take others down with him to "feed his ego" or protect it or something...

Aaron Hernandez transferred to new maximum-security prison
Posted: Thu Apr. 23, 2015

...Hernandez was originally ordered to serve his sentence at Massachusetts Correctional Institution—Cedar Junction, a maximum-security state prison located near the Patriots' home stadium. He was moved Wednesday to Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, located 40 miles west of Boston.

...The facility has one of the nation's largest camera monitoring systems, with 366 cameras recording at all times, according to the state.

Read more:  http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/23/aaron-hernandez-prison-murder-maximum-security

Aaron Hernandez moved to new prison after murder conviction

Published April 23, 2015 ·Associated Press

BOSTON –  Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has been moved to a new prison a week after he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life behind bars.

A state prisons official says Hernandez was moved Wednesday to the maximum-security Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley.

Hernandez had been at Cedar Junction prison in Walpole since he was convicted April 15 of killing 27-year-old Odin Lloyd in 2013. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee.

Souza-Baranowski is the state Department of Correction's newest prison. It opened in 1998 and is about 40 miles west of Boston.

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/23/aaron-hernandez-moved-to-new-prison-after-murder-conviction/

RELATED ARTICLES:

Hernandez's lawyers file motion requesting judge enter finding of not guilty to murder, firearm charges

Brian Fraga
Herald News Staff Reporter  

Posted Apr. 21, 2015 at 4:38 PM
Updated Apr 21, 2015 at 6:05 PM

FALL RIVER — Aaron Hernandez’s attorneys filed a motion Tuesday requesting that a judge enter a required finding of not guilty to the murder and firearm-carrying charges that a jury convicted the former New England Patriot star tight end on last week.

Hernandez’s lawyers filed a similar motion after prosecutors rested their case in the high-profile murder trial at Bristol County Superior Court. The defense team had argued that the prosecution’s circumstantial case had insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hernandez, 25, was involved in the June 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd.

Judge E. Susan Garsh rejected that motion and allowed jurors to render a verdict, which they did on April 15 after deliberating for 35 hours over seven days.

~Snipped~

According to court records, a notice of appeal of Hernandez’s conviction was also filed Tuesday with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Murder convictions in Massachusetts are automatically appealed to the state’s high court.

Read more:

http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20150421/NEWS/150429094/0/breaking_ajax

RELATED TWEETS:

Brian Fraga  @BfragaHN  ·  Apr 22    
Story: #AaronHernandez's lawyers file motion requesting judge enter finding of not guilty to murder, firearm charges https://shar.es/1p2NGg
  

Brian Fraga  @BfragaHN  ·  Apr 22    
2/2 #AaronHernandez lawyers have until May 7 to file memo in support of motion for required not guilty finding on murder & firearm charges


Brian Fraga  @BfragaHN   ·  Apr 22    
From #AaronHernandez's 1st court appearance, #FallRiver Police Department had a plan to help secure courthouse. Writing about that today.


Brian Fraga  @BfragaHN   ·  Apr 21    
Clarification: court records indicate notice of appeal was filed today w/Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
#AaronHernandez


Brian Fraga  @BfragaHN  ·  Apr 21    
Meanwhile, Carlos Ortiz & Ernest Wallace are due in court 6/26 for status review hearings. Shayanna has a hearing on 5/15
#AaronHernandez


Brian Fraga  @BfragaHN  ·  Apr 21    
#AaronHernandez lawyers today filed motion for required not guilty finding on murder & carrying firearm w/o a license. No hearing date set


https://twitter.com/BfragaHN

Confessed gunrunner was ‘awed’ by Aaron Hernandez

Monday, April 27, 2015

By: Laurel J. Sweet

A Florida father who pleaded guilty to shipping an assault rifle and two handguns to Aaron Hernandez shortly before Odin L. Lloyd’s murder claims he was blinded by the former NFL superstar’s fame and later suffered a beatdown behind bars for being named as a witness against him.

In a sentencing memorandum that for the first time in the federal gunrunning case mentions Aaron Hernandez by name instead of the code John Doe No. 3, Oscar “Papoo” Hernandez Jr. — no relation to the convicted killer — states he was “awed” to be in the ex-tight end’s company, “grateful to be noticed, and had no way of anticipating the terrible events which would follow.”

Public defender Charles P. McGinty tells U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young his client, while held at the Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island, “was beaten after having been incorrectly listed as a government witness by the Bristol District Attorney, and for a time was held in isolation in the aftermath of that beating.”

Oscar Hernandez was not called to testify. Wyatt Warden Brian K. Murphy could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday.

Read more:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/04/confessed_gunrunner_was_awed_by_aaron_hernandez

Confessed gunrunner was 'awed' by Aaron Hernandez - and beaten in prison for being mistakenly named a witness against him

. Oscar Hernandez Jr has pleaded guilty to transporting firearms, obstruction of justice, lying to a federal grand jury and witness tampering
. Confessed to shipping Aaron Hernandez three weapons a month before Odin Lloyd's killing June 2013
. Hernandez Jr said he was blinded by New England Patriot's fame and 'grateful to be noticed'
. Aaron Hernandez has been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole  

By Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com
Published: 08:53 EST, 27 April 2015  | Updated: 11:59 EST, 27 April 2015


Oscar Hernandez

~Snipped~

The confessed gun smuggler was scheduled to be sentenced Monday, but Judge Young has delayed the punishment phase until May 5. Public defender Charles McGinty, who represents Hernandez, is seeking a sentence of one year and one day for his client.

Investigators said the Florida resident shipped three guns including FEG 7.62x39 Hungarian rifle, to Aaron Hernandez in the spring of 2013.

The weapons had been stashed inside a beat-up Toyota Camry that was found in the football player's garage in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.

A friend of Oscar Hernandez testified during the NFL star’s trial that the gun trafficker purchased the weapons April 16, 2013, five days after Aaron transferred $15,000 into his account.

Oscar Hernandez was arrested April 17, 2014, and indicted by a grand jury in Massachusetts on gun trafficking charges.

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3057515/Confessed-gunrunner-awed-Aaron-Hernandez-beaten-prison-mistakenly-named-witness-against-him.html#ixzz3YWync6lJ

I added #3 to the topic name.

CuriousPortlander wrote:I added #3 to the topic name.

The Long, Sprawling Legal Road Still Ahead for Aaron Hernandez
Even after his life sentencing, former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez has not seen his last day in court. Not by a long shot.
04.29.15 | 1:20 PM

...Let’s take a walk down the Hernandez legal road that lies ahead. First, the appeal:

How does the appeal work?

...According to Suffolk Law School professor Chris Dearborn, the process will take at least a year. The trial took ten weeks, more than 130 witnesses, and thousands of pages of testimony transcript, which the defense will comb through looking for appealable material.

Will it work?

By all accounts, the chances are slim, according to Dearborn.

...Former judge Tom Merrigan told the Boston Herald those decisions made the verdict “bulletproof.” Prosecutors appealed her rulings during the trial multiple times. Each time the SJC upheld her decisions.

...What then, if any, are the opportunities for appeal?

There are at least two potential areas for the defense to target, according to Dearborn.

The first is the defense’s request to move the location of the trial due to the media coverage. Before the trial, Hernandez’s lawyers had hired a polling company, which found approximately two-out-of-three respondents in Bristol County believed Hernandez was guilty.

Read more:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/04/29/the-long-sprawling-legal-road-still-ahead-for-aaron-hernandez/1bbtvXA490Mf4J8tQHoEEI/story.html

(Long yet informative article)

^^^The above article is quite informative. Thanks, CP.

I have been wondering about how the Wallace and Ortiz cases will play out now that AH has been convicted.  IIRC, after his arrest CO was cooperating with LE and later not so much and the pro's eventually decided against having him testify saying that he was unreliable. On the other hand, EW was professing his loyalty to AH in several jailhouse visits by Tanya Singleton.  I have read that AH was bankrolling EW's defense and I don't know if this is rumor or fact.  If it is/was true then I wonder if AH is still paying for Wallace given the apparent strain on AH's finances?

I also have to wonder how AH's defense team's clear insinuation that EW and/or CO were the actual murderer/s of Lloyd will play with Wallace in terms of his future loyalty to AH.  This dynamic might be determined to a large degree by "who" is currently paying for EW's defense.  Perhaps, the plan was that both AH and EW would blame CO after CO had proved dis-loyal by talking to LE.  However, EW's attorneys must have advised EW by now that no matter what the outcome of EW's own case it is extremely unlikely that AH will ever be a free man again and that EW would be wise to try to save himself at this point as opposed to insisting on being loyal to his buddy "ink".  

Personally, I think that CO's defense is going to come clean for the most part with the exception of admitting that CO knew in advance that Lloyd would be killed.  I suspect that he will name AH as the shooter.  CO might very well say that he was only told that they were going to ruff Lloyd up or threaten Lloyd and that he had no idea that Lloyd would actually be killed.  Heck, EW could probably use the same defense if he gets over his professed loyalty to AH.  I suspect that the sentence for that offense is less than for M1.  I found it interesting that CO's attorney was often present during AH's trial and EW's attorney was not.  This is what makes me think that EW plans to pursue a united front that, like AH's DT, blames CO. Hmm,...this, of course, is all a whole lot of speculation on my part.  

Personally, I think it would be to CO's advantage if his trial occurs prior to EW's trial.  Strategy aside, I think all three of these thugs deserve to spend many years in prison.

^^^^^^

JMO. So far, I have not really seen any evidence anyone knew Lloyd was going to be killed EXCEPT AH. (IMO, that was premeditated by AH and he told no one.He involved the others to show them what happens when some one "knew too much" or rattled at the lips; AH was forcing "loyalty" by making them witness the killing. He may have told them Lloyd was out of line, had questioned AH, had shown "disrespect" to AH and AH was "going to teach him a lesson. ) I will have to see the evidence on them having knowledge PRIOR to existing the vehicle when the killing of Lloyd took place.

I am sure they must have been horrified to witness the death of one of their friends.
They knew what could happen to them since AH regarded the friendships as bartering items: your loyalty or your life.

From above link:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/04/29/the-long-sprawling-legal-road-still-ahead-for-aaron-hernandez/1bbtvXA490Mf4J8tQHoEEI/story.html


"... Isn’t there another alleged shooting too?

There’s a reason Bradley has turned against Hernandez. Once a good friend and godfather to Hernandez’s daughter, Bradley is suing Hernandez for an alleged shooting February 13, 2013. In the suit, Bradley says Hernandez shot him in the face and left him for dead after the two got into an argument outside a Miami strip club.
epa04689159 Prosecution witness Alexander Bradley describes a gun he saw with former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez on a trip to Florida during Hernandez' murder trial at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, USA, 01 April 2015. Hernandez is accused of the murder of Odin Lloyd in June 2013.

However, when Bradley was found by police, he refused to cooperate or to name the shooter, so the criminal investigation was closed. Bradley had to undergo multiple surgeries and lost his right eye in the incident. ...."

JMO. I am thinking Bradley did not tell the PD who shot him because he was SCARED.
IF his "friend", a man who had asked him to be godfather to his dau, could attempt to kill him, what would he do next? Surely, he would either kill him or hire someone to do that job. Not wishing to push the issue too much, Bradley removed it from criminal case to a civil litigation.... he apparently wants AH to take at least financial responsibility for his actions. (I still think that, too, could enrage AH to put out a hit on Bradley. AH is trying to send a message of being the biggest baddest out there and anything less is ddisrespect of deserving of death in AH's mind. )

^^^Yes, I agree that AH was definitely determined that he be "respected" and not crossed--ever.  Like you, I have not seen evidence that CO and EW knew in advance that OL would be killed, but personally, I suspect that they did.  Proving that is a whole different thing though.  I think that CO and EW best defense is to turn on AH and claim that they did not know.  No matter what the outcome of their respective trials I believe that they will both do prison time and they may be afraid of getting beaten or killed in prison for turning on AH.  Oscar (Papoo, the gunrunner) Hernandez was supposedly beaten in jail because the other inmates thought that he "turned" on AH.  Anyway, IMO, CO and EW are both complete idiots if they do not realize by now that AH has nothing left to offer them and he will never have anything in the future to offer them.  They might want to start singing to save themselves from a M1 conviction...just saying.

As for Bradley, I agree that he was probably scared to name AH after being shot in the face.  I have always suspected that the reason Bradley was shot was that he was making demands ($) on AH in exchange for his silence about the Boston murders.  So, essentially, blackmail.  That also explains the civil litigation as opposed to a criminal charge on Bradley's part.  I'm sure Bradley was well aware that it would be hard to extract money from AH if he was locked up for attempted murder of Bradley and could no longer make his millions on the football field. Bradley claimed in his civil suit that AH shot him after an argument over a bar tab. I don't believe that. I think Bradley just made that up as a cover story so that he would not implicate AH in the Boston shooting and criminally destroy the "cash cow".  Also, AH flew from his vacation in LA to the NFL scouting combine several weeks after shooting Bradley and begged to be traded to another team.  The reason AH gave was that he was essentially having problems with home-town (Bristol) gangs trying to capitalize (blackmail) on his fame and fortune and AH thought that he would be better off with a team located in another city.  So, the timing of Bradley being shot and then AH begging to be traded several weeks later for the reasons that he claimed lead me to believe that Bradley was shot because either he was or AH just believed that he was trying to blackmail AH.  I wonder if AH was aware that Bradley had survived the shooting at the time that he flew to the combine and asked to be traded.  That information may come out in the trial.  I suspect that AH and Bradley will both try to finger the other as the trigger-man, however, the Boston case actually has surviving eye witness/s that may be able to shed light on that matter.     Ah, more speculation on my part.  

I think the Boston trial will bring to light and clear up a lot of my questions.  I am hoping that it is rescheduled soon.  I wonder if they might wait to reschedule until after EW and CO's trials. I'm not sure if AH can be forced to testify at EW, CO trials or if he can take the 5th.  Hmm.

Aaron Hernandez-funded rifle missing

Monday, May 4, 2015
By: Laurel J. Sweet

A “high-powered” semi-automatic rifle bought with convicted killer Aaron Hernandez’s cash is missing, according to federal prosecutors, who hope that concerning fact will help them send a strong message of deterrence to weapons traffickers when the former Patriots star’s admitted gunrunner is sentenced tomorrow.

Prosecutors say Oscar “Papoo” c Jr. purchased the rifle at a Florida hardware store April 11, 2013, 18 minutes after 
Aaron Hernandez — no relation — deposited $15,000 in the bank account of Oscar Hernandez’s mother. It’s unclear whether the rifle was meant to be part of a cache of firepower later shipped to the ex-tight end’s North Attleboro home. A .22-caliber handgun another man bought for Aaron Hernandez in Florida with the same pool of money was recovered May 19, 2013, ditched outside a nightclub in Providence that Aaron Hernandez and 
Ernest Wallace, his co-defendant in the June 2013 murder of Odin L. Lloyd, “had just left,” according to assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn MacKinlay.

“This discarded gun, recovered in a public area, highlights the danger to the public from these illegal weapons,” MacKinlay said in a memorandum asking U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to throw Oscar Hernandez behind bars for 32 months. Aaron Hernandez, serving life, has not been charged federally, though MacKinlay said he “funded the conspiracy.”

Read more:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/05/aaron_hernandez_funded_rifle_missing

Alessandra_Deux wrote:Aaron Hernandez-funded rifle missing

Monday, May 4, 2015
By: Laurel J. Sweet

A “high-powered” semi-automatic rifle bought with convicted killer Aaron Hernandez’s cash is missing, according to federal prosecutors, who hope that concerning fact will help them send a strong message of deterrence to weapons traffickers when the former Patriots star’s admitted gunrunner is sentenced tomorrow.

Prosecutors say Oscar “Papoo” c Jr. purchased the rifle at a Florida hardware store April 11, 2013, 18 minutes after 
Aaron Hernandez — no relation — deposited $15,000 in the bank account of Oscar Hernandez’s mother. It’s unclear whether the rifle was meant to be part of a cache of firepower later shipped to the ex-tight end’s North Attleboro home. A .22-caliber handgun another man bought for Aaron Hernandez in Florida with the same pool of money was recovered May 19, 2013, ditched outside a nightclub in Providence that Aaron Hernandez and 
Ernest Wallace, his co-defendant in the June 2013 murder of Odin L. Lloyd, “had just left,” according to assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn MacKinlay.

“This discarded gun, recovered in a public area, highlights the danger to the public from these illegal weapons,” MacKinlay said in a memorandum asking U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to throw Oscar Hernandez behind bars for 32 months. Aaron Hernandez, serving life, has not been charged federally, though MacKinlay said he “funded the conspiracy.”

Read more:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/05/aaron_hernandez_funded_rifle_missing

Gosh, I wonder if "Papoo" is still "in awe" of and happy to be noticed by AH? Somehow, I doubt it!

Second Hernandez murder case returns to court on May 21

Posted by Mike Florio on May 5, 2015, 7:52 PM EDT

Last month, a jury in Bristol County, Massachusetts convicted former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez of murdering Odin Lloyd.  Later this month, a court in Suffolk County, Massachusetts will move closer toward setting a trial date in connection with the allegation that Hernandez killed two men in Boston, 11 months earlier.

Per multiple reports, a status hearing will be held on May 21 for the murder case arising from the shooting deaths of Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu.  Hernandez will not be present for the hearing.

Presumably, a trial date will be set at that time.  The trial at one point was scheduled to begin in late May.  An indefinite postponement occurred, in deference to the trial arising from the Lloyd murder.

Read more:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/05/second-hernandez-murder-case-returns-to-court-on-may-21/

Man who shipped guns to ex-NFL star Hernandez gets 2 years

By PHILIP MARCELO May. 5, 2015 6:01 PM EDT

BOSTON (AP) — A man who shipped guns to former New England Patriots player and convicted killer Aaron Hernandez was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison.

Oscar Hernandez Jr., no relation to Aaron, had pleaded guilty to charges including gun conspiracy and lying to a grand jury.

In a January plea deal, he admitted shipping several guns from Florida to Aaron Hernandez in Massachusetts months before the then-star tight end killed Boston resident Odin Lloyd in 2013.

Oscar Hernandez, who did not supply the murder weapon used in Lloyd's killing, will receive credit for roughly one year already served in prison.

Read more:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/15000664aed84f9391db4b1d4570248c/man-who-shipped-guns-ex-nfler-hernandez-be-sentenced

Aaron Hernandez's lawyers heading back to court

By Jay Hart
Yahoo Sports
3 hours ago

Aaron Hernandez is not heading back to court just yet, but his lawyers will be.

A May 21 status hearing has been set at the Suffolk County Superior Court for the double-murder charge Hernandez faces for a 2012 shooting in Boston's South End.

Prosecutors allege that in July 2012, the former New England Patriots star opened fire on an SUV, killing two people and wounding another.

Hernandez, already serving a life sentence following his conviction last month in the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, has pled not guilty to the double homicide. He is not expected to be in court for the status hearing, according to The Patch, meaning he will likely remain in Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, located 40 miles west of Boston.

Read more:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/aaron-hernandez-s-lawyers-heading-back-to-court-220744377.html?soc_src=mediacontentsharebuttons&soc_trk=tw

I am looking forward to AH's Boston murders trial. I think we will learn a lot about AH and his inner circle of friends that was not allowed to be presented in the OL trial. IMO, AH might just be better off striking a plea bargain so he can get back to enjoying his state provided man-cave and save the attorney costs of another expensive trial. Maybe that way there would be a little money left for his baby daughter. But, no, I expect that AH is too selfish for that. He probably still has himself convinced that his dream defense team is going to pull off a miracle and set him free. Fool!

Sympathy (of a Sort) for Aaron Hernandez
May 4, 2015

How should a civilized society punish its monsters?

...The news stories that followed Hernandez’s conviction adhered to schadenfreudean form: watch as the man who used to wear number 81 dons the uniform of inmate W106228; watch as the one-time owner of a 7,100 sq. ft. home is locked inside a cell smaller than a parking space. There’s a certain understandable satisfaction in that: Criminal justice is at least partly about retribution—civil society venting its anger at its most uncivil members. And a killer like Hernandez has a lot of anger coming to him. But when does a lot become too much, especially if civil is the way a society wants to remain?

Just how Hernandez will do his lifetime of time is not yet set; a lot will depend on his behavior, his safety, and how much humbling the administrators of the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center outside of Boston believe he needs. But at best he can expect to remain inside his cell 19 hours out of every 24. Solitary confinement is a possibility—and that will mean 23-hour-a-day lockdown with an hour outside in a small, caged recreation area. He will eat his meals alone in his cell.

Read more:  http://time.com/3845427/aaron-hernandez-jail-psychology/

Hummer owned by Aaron Hernandez found for sale at car lot
5 hours ago

WRENTHAM, Mass. (AP) -- A Hummer owned by former New England Patriots star and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez has been found for sale at a used car lot.

Hernandez was convicted last month of the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd. Lloyd's mother is suing him, and her lawyers have been trying to find Hernandez's assets. At the time he was arrested, Hernandez had a $40 million contract with the Patriots.

WFXT-TV found the 2005 Hummer H2 Luxury for sale at Central Motor Sales in Wrentham for $30,900 and traced it to Hernandez using the vehicle identification number and court documents. Hernandez bought it in May 2013, the month before Lloyd was killed in an industrial park near Hernandez's home in North Attleborough. An online listing said it had 35,665 miles on it.

A woman who answered the phone at the lot Friday morning said the Hummer was no longer for sale. She wouldn't comment when asked why it was removed from sale or how they got it.

Read more:  http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hummer-owned-aaron-hernandez-found-sale-car-lot-162153138--nfl.html

^^^
Sure why like to know the terms of her obtaining the vehicle...
Was it transferred to her and now she is selling it for HIM?

Mylife101 wrote:I am looking forward to AH's Boston murders trial.  I think we will learn a lot about AH and his inner circle of friends that was not allowed to be presented in the OL trial.  IMO, AH might just be better off striking a plea bargain so he can get back to enjoying his state provided man-cave and save the attorney costs of another expensive trial. Maybe that way there would be a little money left for his baby daughter.  But, no, I expect that AH is too selfish for that.  He probably still has himself convinced that his dream defense team is going to pull off a miracle and set him free.  Fool!

Me, too.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hummer-owned-aaron-hernandez-found-sale-car-lot-162153138--nfl.html
^^^Link posted above by CP,
@Freckles
I am not at all surprised that AH has someone liquidating any assets that he has left. I would think that reality must be setting in and they are realizing that there will be nothing left when this is all over. I wonder why the car lot removed the Hummer from "for sale" status? If they have purchased it from AH (or an agent of AH) there should be no reason to yank it off their sale lot. If anything, they might even sell it faster when word got out that it was owned by AH because, sadly, there is a market for possessions of murderers. I am wondering if the car lot was only functioning as a consignment agent for a percentage of the profit when the Hummer sells? That might explain why they would remove the vehicle. If the Hummer was only on consignment and the title was still in AH's name they might want to remove it so they would not get in any legal trouble for getting caught helping AH dispose of property. Anyway, it looks like money may be starting to be an issue/problem for AH's camp. Hmm...

CuriousPortlander wrote:
Sympathy (of a Sort) for Aaron Hernandez
May 4, 2015

How should a civilized society punish its monsters?

...The news stories that followed Hernandez’s conviction adhered to schadenfreudean form: watch as the man who used to wear number 81 dons the uniform of inmate W106228; watch as the one-time owner of a 7,100 sq. ft. home is locked inside a cell smaller than a parking space. There’s a certain understandable satisfaction in that: Criminal justice is at least partly about retribution—civil society venting its anger at its most uncivil members. And a killer like Hernandez has a lot of anger coming to him. But when does a lot become too much, especially if civil is the way a society wants to remain?

Just how Hernandez will do his lifetime of time is not yet set; a lot will depend on his behavior, his safety, and how much humbling the administrators of the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center outside of Boston believe he needs. But at best he can expect to remain inside his cell 19 hours out of every 24. Solitary confinement is a possibility—and that will mean 23-hour-a-day lockdown with an hour outside in a small, caged recreation area. He will eat his meals alone in his cell.

Read more:  http://time.com/3845427/aaron-hernandez-jail-psychology/

^^This is a good article, CP. The author frames his argument well and ends up making some very good points, IMO.

Mylife101 wrote:http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hummer-owned-aaron-hernandez-found-sale-car-lot-162153138--nfl.html
^^^Link posted above by CP,
@Freckles
I am not at all surprised that AH has someone liquidating any assets that he has left.  I would think that reality must be setting in and they are realizing that there will be nothing left when this is all over.  I wonder why the car lot removed the Hummer from "for sale" status?  If they have purchased it from AH (or an agent of AH) there should be no reason to yank it off their sale lot.  If anything, they might even sell it faster when word got out that it was owned by AH because, sadly, there is a market for possessions of murderers.  I am wondering if the car lot was only functioning as a consignment agent for a percentage of the profit when the Hummer sells? That might explain why they would remove the vehicle.  If the Hummer was only on consignment and the title was still in AH's name they might want to remove it so they would not get in any legal trouble for getting caught helping AH dispose of property.  Anyway, it looks like money may be starting to be an issue/problem for AH's camp.  Hmm...

1. Hummer may have evidence relating indirectly/directly to the shooting crimes or other crimes he was committing, such as gun running or drug running?Could have compounded sentence or future sentencings...

2. A "celebrity" NFL player's vehicle would draw attention AND an increased value so there is something odd about AH not wanting those perks;

3. Had it been legally obtained by AH thru purchase or gift "endorsement" ???

4. Was it a clear title?

5. Was this being done in secret so as to avoid a wrongful death payment to OL's family or the families of others including the man he shot in the face????

I am thinking items 1 and 5 are probably the reason he was doing this in secrecy. Why not just have his atty (he has a few) take care of the sale and liquidation of items???

@Freckles  ^^^

I am thinking that item #5 on your list is the most likely reason.  I hesitate to include reason #1 because LE already confiscated and searched the Hummer and released it the Hernandez camp in December 2014.  I think that AH's family/friends/possibly attorneys are trying to raise some money on the sly to avoid the court freezing the assets AH has left.  IIRC, the court has already frozen the Attleboro mansion and AH cannot sell it right now.

I suspect the title was clear because the $35K paid for the Hummer would have been "chump change" to AH in 2013 when he purchased it. "WFXT-TV found the 2005 Hummer H2 Luxury for sale at Central Motor Sales in Wrentham for $30,900 and traced it to Hernandez using the vehicle identification number and court documents. Hernandez bought it in May 2013, the month before Lloyd was killed in an industrial park near Hernandez's home in North Attleborough. An online listing said it had 35,665 miles on it."

As for #2, I agree with you that the Hummer would have sold for more if it had been openly advertised as having belonged to AH.  Sick, but true.  So, that likely fact just makes me lean more toward #5 and the belief that AH is trying to raise cash that he does not want the victims families and the court to be aware of.  I would imagine that it is getting a little tight financially paying all the monthly bills for that Attleboro mansion, Shayanna and Avielle, and legal defense team.  I wonder if AH is still paying for EW's attorneys too?  I can't help but think AH must be getting pretty broke after almost 2 years in jail with no income and still having big bills to pay.

I wonder how many other AH possessions the family/friends are trying to sell-off quietly for cash?

MyLife:
JMO God has a plan for each of us. We violate that plan and alternate lessons kick in.
AH was given the opportunity for tremendous financial resources.
AH violated the plans God had and God will now deprive AH  of the money... the greed  led AH to commit terrible cruelties to others.  It is a balancing act. What God makes available He can take away...

Don't mess with the man up those stairs!

^^^ So true!

Just Mylife101 doing a little pondering here:

I often wonder what is going on in the minds of all these killers post-conviction. Each of them can at least hold onto the hope that their jury will buy into their BS during the trial and that they will be freed from jail.  But, the conviction must eventually force the convict to start thinking about what they have done and their new set of likely permanent circumstance.

For example: Aaron Hernandez.  AH kept his swagger, appeared quite stoic and/or pleasant during the course of his trial.  Of course, he was still maintaining hope that his high-paid DT would be able to deliver the goods in the same way that others before them have made AH's screw-ups just "go away".  That didn't happen this time.  It wont happen with the Boston murders either.  AH still played it cool, controlled his temper, and continued to hold his head up high even after the verdict was read.  So, how long does that mindset (or pretense) last before reality sets in for someone like AH?

At what point does AH lose his swagger and realize that he is NOBODY anymore?  At what point does the reality set in that he will never again win over crowds of fans with his exceptional football playing talent.  Heck, he may as well not even have that talent because no one will ever again witness it.  At what point does reality set in that another one of those huge paychecks will never be coming to him, that there is NO MORE money.  How about the reality that there is nothing left to sell for money. Nothing, just nothing.  No one will ever again be awed or impressed by what AH can do for them financially.  Never again.  Even worse, the coming reality that AH will have to rely on others to supply the money for him to have even the smallest of canteen luxuries in his prison cell.  The reality of being dependent on others.  The reality of hoping others will still want to visit him instead of getting to believe that others are privileged to even be in his company.  These realities must be crushing to someone like AH once they actually settle into his mind as his realities.

Re item five in my list above:
The attys could not have helped with the sale of property because it would have looked as if it was being done to avoid the outcome of a potential lawsuit. They probably would have had to have court permission to sell any assets for any purpose. Just my guess.

When does a person become reformed enough to admit the errors of their way?
First, they would have to have a conscience.
I don't see that in Jodi Arias, Cayce Anthony, or in AH.
These are selfish people who only feel pain or frustration or anxiety for self.
I don't think AH is capable of empathy.
He only cares about an iron fist control of POWER and the symbols of that power:
The girl friend and dau are the illusions but really an extension of his control.
I don't see him ever admitting with any remorse his actions were wrong and hurtful to many other people. He will only believe he was wrong in getting caught and being stopped from taking what he believed he was owed: CONTROL OVER OTHERS.

AH will do fine in prison with his attitude fitting in with others who have same mentality: Dog eat dog world. He will start working on building up a fan base of loyal followers and "sacrificing" a few to make his points known that he is ruthless. IMO, he will be involved in wt lifting program to build himself up and then he will be in a fight, a shanking, or some other form of violence. He is not going to go away quietly. (He may pretend to "get religion" but that will be used to trade for more time with his girl friend or his dau...)

You can't teach a blind man the need to see and then restore a vision when he had no sight to begin with.
Behavioral disorders are the worst for positive treatment and the disorders start at childhood.
A ruthless need to conquer and control others for power began when he was a child.
Perhaps, the father's stressing the importance of succeeding at sports or watching the abuse to his mother?
Dunno. Maybe both?



All JMO!

Freckles wrote:Re item five in my list above:
The attys could not have helped with the sale of property because it would have looked as if it was being done to avoid the outcome of a potential lawsuit. They probably would have had to have court permission to sell any assets for any purpose. Just my guess.

When does a person become reformed enough to admit the errors of their way?
First, they would have to have a conscience.
I don't see that in Jodi Arias, Cayce Anthony, or in AH.
These are selfish people who only feel pain or frustration or anxiety for self.
I don't think AH is capable of empathy.
He only cares about an iron fist control of POWER and the symbols of that power:
The girl friend and dau are the illusions but really an extension of his control.
I don't see him ever admitting with any remorse his actions were wrong and hurtful to many other people. He will only believe he was wrong in getting caught and being stopped from taking what he believed he was owed: CONTROL OVER OTHERS.

AH will do fine in prison with his attitude fitting in with others who have same mentality: Dog eat dog world. He will start working on building up a fan base of loyal followers and "sacrificing" a few to make his points known that he is ruthless. IMO, he will be involved in wt lifting program to build himself up and then he will be in a fight, a shanking, or some other form of violence. He is not going to go away quietly. (He may pretend to "get religion" but that will be used to trade for more time with his girl friend or his dau...)

You can't teach a blind man the need to see and then restore a vision when he had no sight to begin with.
Behavioral disorders are the worst for positive  treatment and the disorders start at childhood.
A ruthless need to conquer and control others for power began when he was a child.
Perhaps, the father's stressing the importance of succeeding at sports or watching the abuse to his mother?
Dunno. Maybe both?



All JMO!

BBM - Bingo!  That's the key, IMO.  They don't have a conscience, which is exactly why they don't feel remorse.  They are able to justify their actions to themselves, and will never ponder what they "did wrong", as they don't seem to feel they did anything wrong.  The sense of entitlement just astonishes me in every one of these cases.

CP,
While parenting does not come with a handbook, a fall back plan or any guarantees, there ARE community resources available at schools, churches, youth centers and outreach programs from mental health units.

The question is: What are the elements leading to the making of someone so damnably intent on destruction of others and of self? I am not content to slap an end result label on him but am curious as to the events on the time line leading to this behavior. Too much of XYZ or not enough of ABC?  What could a parent have done differently? How does a parent/society raise up a child with a brain who has no conscience?
What transpired in the child's environment to create such an evil behavior disorder?


What could a parent have done differently to have avoided ANY of the social injustices or social immoralities as AH has demonstrated? While I don't want a cookie cutter society where individualism would be destroyed, I do want a society where most of us, most of the time can feel safe in our own personal spheres....

Aaron Hernandez accused of shooting witness in Boston double murder
Monday, May 11, 2015

Convicted killer Aaron Hernandez has been charged with trying to silence a witness who was there when the former New England Patriot allegedly murdered two men in the South End in 2012, authorities said today.

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, whose office indicted Hernandez on witness intimidation charges, did not identify the witness. But his office said Hernandez shot the man in the face on Feb. 13, 2013, “and left him to die on the side of the road in Riviera Beach, Florida, after the witness made a remark about the homicides."

Read more:  http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/herald_bulldog/2015/05/aaron_hernandez_accused_of_shooting_witness_in

CuriousPortlander wrote:
Aaron Hernandez accused of shooting witness in Boston double murder
Monday, May 11, 2015

Convicted killer Aaron Hernandez has been charged with trying to silence a witness who was there when the former New England Patriot allegedly murdered two men in the South End in 2012, authorities said today.

Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, whose office indicted Hernandez on witness intimidation charges, did not identify the witness. But his office said Hernandez shot the man in the face on Feb. 13, 2013, “and left him to die on the side of the road in Riviera Beach, Florida, after the witness made a remark about the homicides."

Read more:  http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/herald_bulldog/2015/05/aaron_hernandez_accused_of_shooting_witness_in

OH YEAH!!!  Now it's on!    This is going to get really good!

Here are a few more links to articles about AH being indicted for shooting Bradley. Each article contains slightly different details.




http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/grand-jury-indicts-ex-new-england-patriots-player-aaron-hernandez/article_7208828a-f817-11e4-8670-93e494a4a22b.html

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-aaron-hernandez-bradley-shooting-20150511-story.html?track=rss

http://www.inquisitr.com/2082200/aaron-hernandez-indicted-for-witness-intimidation-after-allegedly-shooting-alexander-bradley-in-the-face/

Prosecutors drop perjury charge against Shayanna Jenkins

Posted: May 15, 2015 6:17 AM
Updated: May 15, 2015 10:00 AM
By Associated Press


~snipped~
FALL RIVER, Mass. -
A perjury charge was dropped Friday against the fiancee of former New England Patriots star and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez.

Shayanna Jenkins had pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors had said she lied dozens of times to the grand jury that investigated the death of Odin Lloyd, who was dating her younger sister. Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in Lloyd's killing last month.

Prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss the charge in a filing Thursday, citing Jenkins' testimony in Hernandez's trial in March.

On Friday, in a hearing that lasted just minutes, Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh agreed and dismissed the charge.

Outside court, Jenkins said, "I'm feeling great. I'm happy to start my future with my daughter and move forward."

Jenkins and Hernandez have a 2-year-old daughter together.

When asked if she and Hernandez were still together, Jenkins said, "Eh" and grabbed her large diamond engagement ring and twisted it. She quickly cut questioning short and walked away, not answering when asked if she has spoken with Hernandez...

Read more:
http://www.turnto10.com/story/29073521/prosecutors-drop-perjury-charge-against-shayanna-jenkins

Aaron Hernandez's lawyers file an appeal claiming jury's guilty verdict was based on 'guesswork'

By Kelly Mclaughlin For Dailymail.com and Associated Press
Published: 06:21 EST, 15 May 2015  | Updated: 13:00 EST, 15 May 2015






~snipped~

Lawyers for former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez have filed an appeal of his murder conviction, saying it was based on 'improper speculation, conjecture and guesswork'.

The appeal filed this week in Bristol Superior Court said 'no reasonable jury' could have found Hernandez guilty of killing Odin Lloyd in June 2013 and cites insufficient evidence for a conviction...

...Hernandez's lawyers are looking to have the guilty charge reversed, hoping the court reduces his sentence so he could potentially be out of jail in 15 years, according to Yahoo Sports...

...Though evidence pointed toward Hernandez being involved in the crime in some capacity, the defense argued that the jury used speculation and guessword to fill in the gaps of what they were given in order to reach a verdict.

'Hernandez's murder conviction was unsupported by the evidence and must be vacated,' the memorandum reads.

In post-trial interviews, several jurors said that one of the reasons a guilty verdict was reached was because of Hernandez's 'indifference'.

'We watched the video footage at his home later in the morning or early afternoon after the incident occurred and he was just lounging around by the pool and playing with the baby. He was going about his regular life,' juror Jon Carlson told CNN's Anderson Cooper.

He continued: 'For us to have knowledge that he was there at the time that his close friend was murdered, personally there's no way I could just carry on hours later like nothing happened. That's indifference.'

Hernandez's lawyers, however, argue that this 'cannot be deemed to have demonstrated indifference to or taking pleasure in Lloyd's conscious suffering.'..

Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3083170/Aaron-Hernandez-appeals-lawyers-cite-jurys-guesswork.html