(Above is the LawNewz Network feed where we are streaming the trial with live legal analysis. If you prefer the raw feed of the trial, it is embedded below as well.)
The trial of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez resumed Monday after Judge Jeffrey Locke suspended proceedings last Friday due to an illness working its way through the courthouse. The former New England Patriots Tight End is accused of killing Daniel de Abreu and Safir Furtado on July 16, 2012 outside a nightclub after prosecutors say he became angry over a spilled drink.
Things got heated in the courtroom even before the first witness was called as defense attorney Richard Sullivan grew upset at Judge Locke for what he felt like was unfair treatment.
“Are you done,” Judge Locke said after a heated exchange.
Sullivan quickly shot back, “Well, if your Honor keeps interrupting me, then of course I’m done.”
NFL player and Denote Thompson took the stand and spoke of Hernandez, calling him “my guy.” Thompson, who now plays WR with the Chicago Bears, was Hernandez’s teammate at the University of Florida. He testified about a party he held in Florida just days before star prosecution witness Alexander Bradley was shot after prosecutors say Hernandez tried to silence him about the 2012 killings.
Thompson told prosecutors of taking both Bradley and Hernandez to a club called Tootsie. Earlier, Bradley testified that he went to Tootsie alone with Hernandez a second time and that is when he was shot. The defense contends Bradley was ashore by drug dealers
The prosecution also called a club promoter who buttressed the Commonwealth’s claim that Bradley often had to calm Hernandez down at clubs when he would become upset over somewhat trivial things.
The former Patriots star is already sentenced to life without the possibility of parole when he was convicted nearly two years ago in another murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. That case is on appeal.
Trial will resume Tuesday and the prosecution may call Hernandez’s brother to the stand. As usual, LawNewz will have live courtroom coverage and analysis of the action.
WATCH RAW FEED of Hernandez Murder Trial:
[image via screengrab]