Judge: Aaron Hernandez's mother, fiancée can attend trial
A judge in the murder trial of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez ruled that Hernandez's mother and fiancée can attend the trial even though they are on the prosecution’s witness list, reports the Boston Globe.
Bristol Superior Court Judge E. Susan Garsh granted the defense’s motion to have Hernandez’s mother Terri Valentine Hernandez, and his girlfriend, Shayanna Jenkins, present during the proceedings. Both women testified before a grand jury that ultimately indicted Hernandez. Jenkins is facing perjury charges for lying to the grand jury and is free on bail after pleading not guilty to the charges.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick are also on the prosecutors’ witness list.
Garsh also ruled that prosecutors won’t be allowed to cover up a trophy case in Hernandez’s home when jurors go to visit the home during the trial.
Jury selection for the trial is expected to start on Friday.
Hernandez is accused killing Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was dating Jenkins’ sister. The trial is expected to last two to three months after a jury is selected.
Hernandez is also accused of the 2012 alleged murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, who prosecutors say were shot when one of them accidentally spilled a drink on the former Patriots star at a Boston nightclub. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases.
- Scooby Axson
