Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez was handcuffed immediately after a guilty verdict was read in a Fall River, Massachusetts courtroom Wednesday. His defense team immediately filed a motion for an appeal with Judge E. Susan Garsh.
#AaronHernandez sentenced to life in prison. @NECN pic.twitter.com/r3ConM2GpO
— Ally Donnelly (@AllyNECN) April 15, 2015
Odin Lloyd was murdered on June 17, 2013. Prosecutors alleged throughout the 10-week trial that Hernandez and co-defendants, Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace, shot and killed Lloyd a mile from Hernandez’s home in North Attleboro. Odin’s family gasped when the jury foreperson announced the verdict. According to CNN , all 12 jurors found Hernandez guilty of murder in the first degree, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Sentencing in the case started at shortly after 11:15 a.m. According to Boston.com , the first degree murder charge carries a sentence of life in prison without the chance for parole. The death penalty is not allowed in Massachusetts. The former NFL star will spend the rest of his natural life at MCI Cedar Junction in Walpole, Massachusetts.
Herandez’s fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins , and his mother were in court. Both broke down crying, with Aaron’s mother holding her close. CNN’s Susan Candiotti tweeted that Hernandez mouthed, “It’s OK” to both his mother and Jenkins. The couple have a two-year-old daughter, Avielle.
#AaronHernandez aaron looking and looking at his mom/fiancee weeping; he appears upset but calm; he mouths to them “it’s ok” @lauradolancnn
— susan candiotti cnn (@susancandiotti) April 15, 2015
#AaronHernandez fiancée and mother sobbing in courtroom after jury finds him guilty of first degree murder pic.twitter.com/mAFor6ivfB — Lisa Kraus Edwards (@LAKEdwards) April 15, 2015
Ursala Ward, Odin Lloyd’s mother, gave a victim’s impact statement before sentencing was imposed.
“I thank God every second for every day of my son’s life that I spent with him. I will never get to dance at his wedding. I will never have a grandchild from my son. I will never hear my son say ‘Ma, you’re so beautiful, I love you.’ I know I’m going to see him one day again and this is giving me the strength to go on. I forgive the hands of the those who had a hand in my son’s murder. May God continue to bless us.”
OL’s mom Ursula Ward after giving victim impact statement #AaronHernandez pic.twitter.com/HXnhGBW7iT
— Ted Daniel (@TedDanielFOX25) April 15, 2015
Odin Lloyd’s mother currently has a $5 million wrongful death suit against Aaron Hernandez. He is set to stand trial for a 2012 double murder in Boston. The trial was set for May, but has been postponed with a trial date pending.
