Ex-Patriot Aaron Hernandez was back in court on Wednesday for a probable cause hearing but the prosecution asked for a continuance. Hernandez attorney James Sultan objected to the delay, saying his client already has been jailed for four weeks in solitary confinement, and that the DA could have waited to bring charges against him but elected to do it last month with a 45-minute presentation to the court that listed out a laundry list of circumstantial evidence.
Hernandez is accused of shooting Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player believed to be the boyfriend of Hernandez’s fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins’ sister. The 27-year-old Lloyd was shot five times and his body was found June 17 in an industrial park near Hernandez’s home.
Hernandez’s girlfriend, Shayanna Jenkins, was in court for the hearing — Hernandez mouthed “I love you” to her before he was led out of the courtroom. ABC’s “Nightline” profiled Hernandez relationship with Lloyd.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke out about Aaron Hernandez’s arrest on Wednesday.
“It’s a sad day, it’s a really a sad day on so many levels,” Belichick said, reading from a thoughtful statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim, and I extend my sympathy, really, to everyone that’s been impacted. A young man lost his life. And his family’s suffered a tragic loss, and there’s no way to understate that.
“When I was out of the country, I learned about the ongoing criminal investigation that involved one of our players. I and other members were shocked and disappointed in what we had learned. Having someone in your organization that’s involved in a murder investigation is a terrible thing. After consultation with ownership, we acted swiftly and decisively (in cutting Hernandez).”
