The jurors in the double murder trial of Aaron Hernandez were unable reach a verdict again after another day of deliberations on Thursday. The former NFL star is charged with killing two men and injuring a third in a shooting outside a nightclub in Boston in July 2012. Prosecutors allege Hernandez became enraged after one of the victims allegedly spilled a drink on him and never apologized.
The prosecution’s key witness, Alexander Bradley, testified under a grant of immunity that he was driving Hernandez’s SUV on the night of the shootings and that Hernandez reach over and fired killing Daniel de Abreu and Safir Furtado. A third victim was struck with a bullet, but survived. Months later, prosecutors allege Hernandez then shot Bradley in a failed effort to silence him.
The defense, led by Jose Baez, blamed the Boston Police for shoddy police work because they failed to solve the crime for so many years. He also argued that no physical evidence tied Hernandez to the scene and at least two independent witnesses claimed during police interviews that there may have been a woman in the shooter’s vehicle. There was also minimal forensic evidence discovered that could directly be tied to Hernandez.
Last week, Judge Jeffrey Locke spent one and a half hours reading instructions to jurors on all the charges and then sent them off to deliberate. Little did he know a decision would not be reached before Friday.
Hernandez has denied any involvement in the 2012 killings. However, he is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the killing of Odin Lloyd. That case is on appeal.
Jurors left the courthouse Thursday around 4:00 PM and were asked to return on Friday morning for another day of deliberations. The length of time jurors have been out has some lawyers convinced this is the type of situation that typically favors the defendant.
Stick with LawNewz to see the verdict live and watch the analysis with our panel of experts.
2:53 UPDATE:
The jury has reached a verdict.
[image via screengrab]