The trial of Aaron Hernandez, former New England Patriots player has reached the final score. After seven days of jury deliberations, former NFL New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez was convicted on Wednesday of first degree murder and gun charges. The verdict could mean a sentence of life without parole. And although appeals may be down the road, it brings an end to one legal battle for Hernandez. He still faces a second murder trial involving the murder of two people in 2012, set to start later this year. After over 40 days, 400 plus exhibits and 135 witnesses, the jury delivered its verdict of guilty on all charges in the circumstantial murder case. The murder case against Hernandez was an entirely circumstantial one. There was no gun found and no eyewitnesses. The prosecution alleged that Hernandez, once worth $40 million for playing with the New England Patriots, drove the victim, Lloyd, to an area and shot him six times. Prosecutors contended that evidence left at … [Read more...] about Final Score: Guilty Verdict for Aaron Hernandez
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Why the Boston Bomber May Avoid the Death Penalty
With the first phase of the trial over for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicting him on all counts, one would think the second death penalty phase is a no brainer. Multiple reasons suggest that Tsarnaev may likely receive life without the possibility of parole. Unlike the first phase, jurors will now get to hear evidence that will show the aggravating factors which warrant the death penalty. His case is likely the most heinous crime committed in Massachusetts with four persons killed by a bomb, used as a weapon of mass destruction, including an eight year old and injuring 264 others with life permanent injuries both physical and emotional. Family members of the four deceased victims, including one police officer and many of the other many victims whose lives have been forever altered will likely testify on behalf of the prosecution. The prosecution will also likely portray his callousness in going to a Whole Foods store and the gym following the bombing. In his defense for life … [Read more...] about Why the Boston Bomber May Avoid the Death Penalty
Aaron Hernandez Trial: Awaiting Final Score
The trial of Aaron Hernandez, former New England Patriots player has reached the time for the final score. The jury is deliberating for four days. The twelve jurors who are deciding his fate have requested the 400 plus exhibits and asked 6 questions since their deliberations began. Hernandez is on trial for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, a friend or acquaintance and weapons charges. After over 40 days, 400 plus exhibits and 135 witnesses, the mostly circumstantial murder case is finally in the hands of the jury to deliver a verdict. The murder case against Hernandez is an entirely circumstantial one. The prosecution alleges that Hernandez, once worth $40 million for playing with the Patriots, drove the victim, Lloyd, to a an area and shot him six times. Prosecutors contend that evidence left at the scene such as Hernandez’s DNA left on a marijuana butt and .45 caliber shell casings found at the crime scene support their theory. The casings found at the scene and found in … [Read more...] about Aaron Hernandez Trial: Awaiting Final Score
Real Life American Sniper Trial Lacks Movie Appeal
While American Sniper lost in its Oscar nomination for Best Picture on Sunday, the real life American Sniper trial is set to end soon in a small court room in Stephenville, Texas. Closing arguments are set to be heard this week in the murder trial of former U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in U.S. war history. Kyle and another man, Chad Littlefield were allegedly killed on February 2, 2013 by a friend, Eddie Ray Routh. The defense clearly admits to killing Kyle and asserts he is not guilty by reason of insanity. All three men were headed to a gun shooting range on the day of the killing. Ironically, Kyle’s life ended in the manner in which he was decorated as a war hero—by a gun shot. Routh after the killing told his sister that “people were sucking his soul,” according to prosecutors. Routh suffers from PTSD, psychosis and severe schizophrenia, according to his medical experts. Most cases of insanity are difficult to prove and amount to a battle of … [Read more...] about Real Life American Sniper Trial Lacks Movie Appeal
Aaron Hernandez and the Link to O.J. Simpson
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez’s trial is entering another week in a courtroom outside Boston. And it’s starting to resemble O.J. Simpson’s mid 1990’s trial in some respects. There are no eyewitnesses in the murder of Odin Lloyd and the case rests completely on circumstantial evidence. The circumstantial evidence in the 6 month long trial of O.J. Simpson consisted in part of a size 12 Bruno Magli shoe print at the scene, matching gloves that did not fit, a notorious Bronco car flight presumably showing guilt, motive of jealousy of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and a visit to the home of O.J. Simpson. All of that added up to a not guilty verdict by the jury. The prosecutors in the Hernandez trial will link some closer ties to the murder location than in the O.J. case. Whether it will be enough for a conviction is the question to be answered by the jury. The Hernandez jury last week made a site visit to Hernandez’s home. Jurors in the O.J. Simpson trial also made a visit … [Read more...] about Aaron Hernandez and the Link to O.J. Simpson
Super Bowl XLIX and Aaron Hernandez Trial
The trial of Aaron Hernandez, former New England Patriots player before he was charged with the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, has a link to the Super Bowl. Judge Susan Garsh has ruled that the jury may watch the Super Bowl. And some may think that whether jurors should be able to watch the Super Bowl seems irrelevant to the Hernandez trial. The trial began on Thursday in Boston. While it appears the Super Bowl would have no relationship with the trial, the jurors in any trial are always advised to refrain from watching TV accounts of the trial as well as looking on social media. And Hernandez played in Super Bowl XLVI for the Patriots as a key player. So it is perhaps likely that the mention of his name and the trial may occur during the Super Bowl on Sunday. The judge has further advised jurors that if they hear Hernandez’s name mentioned that they must either leave the room or refrain from watching any mention of him. Yes—the law has its funnier moments at times. But on Monday, … [Read more...] about Super Bowl XLIX and Aaron Hernandez Trial