The prosecution on Monday is finally expected to rest its case against Aaron Hernandez, charged with several crimes related to the double murder shooting of Daniel de Abreu and Safir Furtado outside a Boston nightclub in July 2012. Prosecutors alleged Hernandez killed the victims over a spilled drink.
The defense contends the prosecution’s star witness, Alexander Bradley, actually shot the victims that night as part of drug deal gone bad. They also claim that is why he was shot in the face in 2013, while prosecutors say Hernandez fired those shots to keep Bradley quiet about the 2012 murders. Bradley testified for the prosecution under a grant of immunity and is serving a sentence for a 2014 nightclub shooting.
On Friday, Bradley’s cousin, Robert Lindsey, testified that he was told by Bradley that “(expletive) Aaron shot me in the eye.” Lindsey also made it pretty clear to prosecutor Pat Haggan that he was not happy about having to take a day off work to come down from Connecticut to testify.
On cross-examination, Jose Baez got Lindsey to admit his cousin was likely a major drug supplier and trafficker, saying, “I guess, I know he deals with big guys.” Once again, Baez is attempting to portray Bradley’s drug dealing as the reason for the shooting.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution has tried to link Hernandez to the scene through text messages, gun shot residue, and even tattoos that prosecutors argue show evidence of guilt. However, the only person to actually identify Hernandez as the shooter was Bradley, a convicted felon, testifying as part of a deal from the prosecution. Other witnesses suggested at certain points during the investigation to possibly seeing a woman in the shooter’s car.
By one count, prosecutors called at least 62 witnesses to testify in their case in chief.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to all counts related to the 2012 shootings.
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[image via screengrab]