Ex-NFL Star Aaron Hernandez Murder Trial Date Set

Former NFL star of the New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez will be put on trial for a double homicide in May of next year.

Hernandez is accused of gunning down two Cape Verdean nationals, Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado, in 2012. According to Yahoo Sports, Hernandez showed up in court wearing a suit and tie to learn when he would be tried for the alleged murder. The trial is tentatively scheduled for May 28, 2015.

The charges against Hernandez claim he shot the two men in Boston after a spilled drink sent the football player into a rage. Prosecutors claim the charges are based on the testimony of a friend who witnessed the shooting that night and video camera surveillance footage.

Aaron Hernandez allegedly had a.38-caliber handgun hidden in the engine block of a silver SUV, the vehicle he was driving at the time of the incident. According to Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Patrick Haggan, the victim Daniel Abreu spilled a drink on Aaron Hernandez at a night club in the Theater District, which prompted Hernandez to follow him and Safiro Furtado with his vehicle. After pulling up alongside them, Hernandez said “Yo, What’s up now?” then used a racial slur and shot both men dead.

The witness reported that Hernandez said Abreu “targeted and disrespected him,” according to Haggan.

Aaron Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to both murder charges.

Defense attorney James Sultan is worried that the jury will be “poisoned” by publicity of the trial and extrajudicial statements by the prosecutors. “I am extremely dubious that Mr. Hernandez can receive a fair trial,” Sultan said to the judge. “It’s going to be hard enough for him to get a fair trial, so let’s safeguard his rights.”

According to the Boston Herald, Hernandez was laughing and smiling with his attorney Charles Rankin during the double-murder hearing. Meanwhile, the family of the victims could be heard crying. One of the female relatives, who was sitting only a few feet from Aaron Hernandez, had to leave the court room temporarily to compose herself.

Aaron Hernandez is also going on trial for the alleged shooting of Odin L. Lloyd, age 27. That trial is scheduled for October. Hernandez is due back in court for another hearing on August 14.

Hernandez requested a gag order for the case, which the judge took under advisement. In the meantime, ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez remains behind bars with no chance of parole.