April 10, 2024 • 66 mins
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Embark on an immersive investigation into the dark descent of ex-NFL phenomenon Aaron Hernandez, whose life spiraled into a harrowing saga of murder, trials, and personal demons. In a narrative that's as gripping as any game Hernandez ever played, we piece together the chilling events leading to Odin Lloyd's death, unraveling the potent mix of fame, psychology, and the relentless spotlight that may have driven Hernandez to the edge. As we tread through the crime scene evidence and Hernandez's bewildering behavior post-crime, we also acknowledge the weight of these revelations and offer support for those grappling with similar struggles.
The courtroom became an arena of its own—the stakes, someone's very freedom. Listen intently as we recount the strategic chess match between defense and prosecution in the trial that captivated the nation. From the DNA evidence that cornered Hernandez to the dramatic immunity of Shana Jenkins and the controversial elements that swayed public opinion, this episode doesn't shy away from the intricate details that painted a portrait of justice in the modern era. The narrative culminates in the jury's decision, resonating far beyond the confines of the court with a life sentence that echoed the gravity of Hernandez's downfall.
Our journey doesn't end at the sentencing. Hernandez's story is a cautionary tale that spirals further within the walls of incarceration, where the complexities of identity, mental health, and the specter of CTE cast long shadows over his final days. We explore Hernandez's battle against his inner turmoil, the legal disputes that lingered, and the devastating conclusion to a life marred by violence and loss. This episode is a stark reminder of the depth of human fragility and the urgent need for compassion and understanding in addressing mental health and preventing tragedy. We part with a heartfelt message to anyone facing their own battles and remind you that support is always available.
Source Material: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fTxSs7y4wvKdiQq-b6zKhiFy10N-DKG2x-OQFEnzkj0/edit?usp=sharing
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back Crime Connoisseurs.
I'm your host, grace D.
Last week we covered thebeginning of Aaron Hernandez's
life and his football career.
We left off with the murder ofOdin Lloyd, so if you haven't
listened to Part 1 yet, stop andgo, give it a listen.
In our previous episode, wedelved into the shocking events
(00:24):
surrounding the former NFLplayer's life and the crimes
that ultimately led to hisdownfall.
Today we continue ourexploration, uncovering new
details and shedding light onthe complex web of circumstances
that surrounded Aaron'stroubled existence Aaron's
troubled existence.
In this episode, we will diveeven deeper into the
(00:46):
investigations, trials andaftermath of the crimes
committed by Aaron Hernandez.
We'll examine the evidencepresented in court, the
testimonies of key witnesses andthe legal strategies employed
by both the prosecution and thedefense.
As we navigate through theintricacies of the case, we'll
(01:09):
strive to understand the motivesbehind Aaron's actions and
their impact on the lives ofthose involved.
But the story goes beyond thecourtroom.
We'll also explore thepsychological and societal
factors that may havecontributed to his descent into
violence, examining theinfluences of fame, wealth and
(01:33):
the pressure of professionalsports.
So buckle up, ladies and gents,as we embark on this gripping
quest of one of the mostnotorious cases in recent memory
.
Quest of one of the mostnotorious cases in recent memory
.
Please be advised that thecontent discussed in this
episode may be disturbing andsensitive.
The topic of suicide will bediscussed in this episode.
(01:57):
If you or someone you know isstruggling and having suicidal
thoughts, help is available.
You can call or text 988 tospeak with someone.
Listener, discretion is advised.
So On June 17, 2013, the bodyof Odin Lloyd, a
(03:02):
semi-professional footballplayer who was a linebacker for
the Boston Bandits football team, was found shot multiple times
in an industrial park near NorthAttleboro, massachusetts.
Odin Lloyd was dating ShaniaJenkins, the sister of Aaron
Hernandez's girlfriend, shianaJenkins.
At the crime scene, detectivesfound a white towel, a
half-smoked blunt, five .45caliber shell casings, tire
(03:28):
tracks and shoe prints On Odin'sperson.
They found his wallet, allowingthem to ID him, and two sets of
rental car keys.
They quickly worked the sceneas they learned that rain was
about to come in.
They quickly worked the sceneas they learned that rain was
about to come in.
(03:48):
They tarped over Odin's bodyand the evidence that they found
and promptly made impressionsof the shoe print and the tire
tracks before the rain couldruin it.
Since the industrial park areawhere Odin's body was found was
near a gold refinery.
There were surveillance camerasall over the area, so
(04:11):
investigators began reviewingthe surveillance videos.
The police also ran the carkeys found on Odin's person and
those corresponded to a carrented by Aaron
Hernandez.
After identifying the keys asbelonging to Aaron Hernandez's
rental agreement, detective DanArrigi and a Massachusetts state
trooper drove to Aaron's homeabout a mile from where Odin
(04:37):
Lloyd's body was.
They arrived at the home at9.40 pm and approached his front
door.
They arrived at the home at9.40 pm and approached his front
door.
The officers rang the doorbellat around 9.45, but no answer.
Seeing cars parked in thedriveway and lights on in the
house, the officers peeked intoAaron's windows, then canvassed
(05:00):
the perimeter of his house andglanced into the garage, the
perimeter of his house andglanced into the garage.
Detective Arigi and the statetrooper then walked over to a
neighbor's home who happened tobe New England Patriots
assistant coach Joe Judge.
Joe attempted to get Aaron'scell phone number for them.
(05:20):
The officers then returned totheir car and watched for
activity inside thehouse.
According to Detective Arigi,aaron came out of his house at
around 10 30 pm.
The two greeted each other inthe driveway and shook hands.
They began a brief conversationduring which Aaron said he had
(05:44):
been monitoring the officersthrough his home surveillance
system.
According to Detective Arigi,aaron also referred to Odin as
quote my boy O end quote duringthe conversation.
As Detective Arigie asked Aaronmore and more questions related
(06:12):
to Odin, detective Arigie saidthat Aaron became agitated and
angrily walked away.
However, aaron agreed to driveover to the North Attleboro
Police Station along with hisfiancée Cheyenne Jenkins and
their baby daughter.
After dropping off Aaron at thepolice station, cheyenne began
and their baby daughter, afterdropping off Aaron at the police
station, cheyenne began todrive home.
(06:34):
Detective Arigie and the statetrooper followed Cheyenne and
pulled her car over at 11 pmeven though no traffic violation
had occurred.
Detective Arigie said that thetwo wanted to speak with
Cheyenne and asked her to returnto the police
station.
The next day, the policesearched the Hernandez home in
connection with an investigationinto the shooting death of
(06:56):
friend Odin Lloyd, whose bodywas found with multiple gunshot
wounds to the back and chest inan industrial park about a mile
from the Hernandez residence.
The following day, aaronassured Patriots head coach Bill
Belichick and owner RobertKraft that he had nothing to do
(07:18):
with the shooting.
Despite this, aaron was bannedfrom Gillette Stadium lest it
became the site of a mediastakeout.
The team also decided that theywould sever all ties with Aaron
if he were arrested on anycharge related to the case.
No-transcript Detective MichaelElliott immediately drove to
(08:06):
the car rental agency and metwith several members of the
Massachusetts State Police.
The office manager told himthat the car had been cleaned
and possible evidence discardedinto a dumpster.
One of the troopers climbedinto the container and removed
several items a .45 calibershell casing attached to blue
bubble gum, a water bottle and acrumbled up piece of paper.
(08:30):
As police combed throughsurveillance videos, they found
footage of Aaron dancing at agas station as he entered the
store.
He is then seen purchasingbubblicious cotton candy
flavored gum at the gas stationconvenience store when he drove
to Boston on June 16, 2013 topick up Odin On June 21, 2013,
(09:00):
police found surveillance videosplacing Aaron and Odin together
the night ofthe murder.
That same day, aaron made tripsto his lawyers and a gas
station, and his movements weretracked by media helicopters.
Two days later, aaron's homewas searched again for four
(09:21):
hours.
This time, k-9 officersassisted in the search.
On June 26th, the infamousimage of Aaron Hernandez being
walked out of his home in redshorts and a white t-shirt that
was placed over him after hishands were cuffed behind him
took place.
Aaron was arrested and chargedwith first-degree murder, in
(09:46):
addition to one count ofcarrying a firearm without a
license, two counts ofpossessing a large-capacity
firearm and two counts ofpossessing a firearm without a
firearm identification card.
About 90 minutes later, thePatriots released Aaron from the
team before being officiallyinformed of the charges against
(10:10):
him.
Aaron was held without bail atthe Bristol County.
Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallacewere also arrested in
connection with Odin Lloyd'sdeath.
(10:30):
Carlos Ortiz told police thatAaron secretly rented an
apartment in Franklin,massachusetts.
The Associated Press reported asubsequent search of the
apartment.
That quote turned up ammunitionand clothing that police
(10:50):
believe could be evidence in themurder case against him.
End quote.
Carlos was held on a $500,000bail After his arrest for the
murder of Odin Lloyd.
Bill Belichick prohibitedAaron's name from being spoken
in the locker room.
(11:11):
Rob Gronkowski repeatedlydeclined to answer any questions
about Aaron in interviews andhe nearly walked out during a
CBS interview in 2013 until thereporter agreed to change the
(11:31):
subject away from hisformer teammate.
On June 28th, the policerecovered the silver Chrysler
that they believed Aaron Odinand the two other men were in
the night of Odin's murder.
On July 3rd, the Gainesvillepolice released a 51-page report
on the 2007 double shooting inwhich Aaron Hernandez was
(11:53):
questioned.
It's believed that an argumentabout a gold necklace may have
sparked that shooting.
On July 9th, text messagesbetween Aaron and Odin on the
night of the murder surfaced indocuments unsealed by law
enforcement.
A grand jury in Suffolk County,massachusetts, then began
(12:18):
hearings on July 24th 2013 forthe 2012
double murder.
2013 for the 2012 double murder.
The next day, the surveillancevideos from Aaron's home were
made public for the first timeand they appear to show him
holding a gun.
On July 30, 2013, police diverssearched a lake in Bristol,
(12:41):
connecticut, for the murderweapon in Odin Lloyd's murder,
but found nothing.
On August 19, 2013, police inSpringfield, massachusetts,
found the gun used in the 2012double murder in Boston, but
still have been unable to turnup the gun used in Odin Lloyd's
(13:04):
murder.
Three days later, aaron wasindicted by a grand jury for the
murder of Odin Lloyd and onSeptember 3rd 2013, aaron's
lawyers filed a postponementrequest in federal court until
his murder charges were resolved.
(13:24):
Aaron plednot guilty.
On September 6th, ernestWallace was charged as an
accessory after the fact in OdinLloyd's murder on September
19th.
Then, on September 27th, carlosOrtiz was indicted on a single
count of accessory to the murderafter the fact in the killing
(13:48):
of Odin.
In addition, aaron's fiancee,cheyenne Jenkins, and his cousin
, tanya Cummings Singleton werealso charged as accessories to
murder for their suspectedinvolvement in assisting Aaron
after the killing of Odin Lloyd.
Two months later, on November27, 2013, aaron pleaded the
(14:13):
Fifth Amendment in response toAlexander Bradley's lawsuit.
In part one, we covered howAlexander Bradley filed a
lawsuit against Aaron Hernandezfor shooting him in the head and
him going blind in one eye.
Odin Lloyd's family filed awrongful death suit against
(14:36):
Aaron Hernandez on December 19,2013.
And about a month later, bostonpolice documents are revealed
that connected Aaron to the 2012double murder for the
first time.
Things are quiet for a coupleof months after this, but on
(14:57):
April 11th, charges againstCarlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace
in Odin Lloyd's death wereupgraded to murder.
Two weeks after that, on May1st, aaron was charged with
assault in a fight with a fellowjail inmate.
Two weeks after that, aaron wasthen indicted for the murders
(15:19):
of Daniel D'Abril and SiferioFurtado in the 2012 double
homicide outside of the CureNightclub in Boston's South End
On May 28th.
Aaron pleaded not guilty to the2012 double murder.
Prosecutors claim that thecrime stemmed from a spilled
(15:43):
drink.
Prosecutors claim that thecrime stemmed from a spilled
drink On June 16, 2014,.
A tentative trial date ofOctober 6 was set for the case
of Odin Lloyd's killing.
Then on June 24, 2014,.
(16:08):
The trial date for the 2012double murders in Boston was set
for Mayof 2015.
Two months later, bristolCounty Superior Court Judge E
Susan Garsh threw out evidencefrom two cell phones and three
tablets taken from Erin's homeduring the investigation of
Odin's death.
She said there were problemswith the warrant taken from
Aaron's home during theinvestigation of Odin's death.
She said there were problemswith the warrant On October 2,
(16:36):
2014,.
Judge Garsh threw out severalpieces of evidence that the
prosecutors conceded weregathered improperly Carlos
Ortiz's cell phone, boxes of .45caliber ammunition and a Glock
.45 caliber magazine loaded withammunition whose brands matched
the brands of the ammunitionfound at the scene of Odin
(16:58):
Lloyd's shooting.
On October 10, 2014,.
Judge Garsh denied a defensemotion to exclude Aaron's cell
phone as evidence.
She said that Aaron's legalteam freely and voluntarily gave
investigators the phone andthen, several weeks later, she
(17:19):
also rejected a defense motionfor a change of venue.
A defense motion for a changeof venue On November 25, 2014,.
The trial for the 2012 slayingswas delayed indefinitely.
A couple weeks after that, onDecember 12, 2014, judge Garsh
(17:41):
ruled that prosecutors could notpresent evidence
in the 2012 killings.
During the trial for OdinLloyd's murder, it's been
reported that Shana Jenkinssought out immunity from
prosecution in exchange for hertestimony against Aaron on
(18:04):
January 7, 2015.
And then two days later, onJanuary 9, aaron's trial for the
shooting death of Odin Lloydbegan in Fall River,
massachusetts.
After missing juror delay,aaron's trial for the shooting
(18:25):
death of Odin Lloyd opened withmurder scene details On January
29, 2015,.
The trial began in Fall RiverMassachusetts with opening
statements from prosecutingattorney Patrick Bomberg and
defense attorney Michael Fee.
Judge E Susan Garsh presided.
(18:47):
Patrick Bomberg and defenseattorney Michael Fee.
Judge E Susan Garsh presided.
The trial was expected to takeabout 10 weeks, but the trial
was delayed on a few occasionsdue to the unprecedented
snowfall in greater Boston.
In opening statements,prosecutors said that Aaron's
(19:11):
DNA was found at the murderscene.
On February 10, 2015, judgeGarsh approved the prosecution's
request to grant immunity toAaron's fiancée, shana Jenkins,
so that she could be called totestify in the
former Patriots' murder trial.
Detective Elliott testifiedthat Aaron voluntarily came to
(19:32):
the police station around 11.15pm on June 18, 2013,.
The day after Odin Lloyd'smurder.
He was placed in an interviewroom.
Detective Elliott alsotestified that he watched Aaron
via surveillance camera At onepoint.
Detective Elliott said thatAaron plugged his cell phone
(19:54):
into the wall and laid down onthe floor next to the phone
charging.
Around 2 am on June 19th,detective Elliott watched Aaron
leave the police station andmeet another man in the parking
lot.
He trained the surveillancecamera outside the building on
Aaron when he got into a car.
(20:15):
Then Detective Elliotttestified that Aaron
disassembled his cell phone andmade a call on the phone of his
lawyer, robert Jones.
William M McCulley, the leadprosecutor, said that Aaron
placed a call to Wallace.
Detective Elliott said that hewatched Aaron's movements for
(20:39):
about 20 minutes in the parkinglot.
Prosecutors played a five toeight minute videotape for the
jury that recorded hisactivities inside the car.
Detective Elliott testifiedthat on June 18th the police
executed a search warrant at theHernandez home to look for guns
(21:00):
, clothing, aaron's cell phoneand surveillance equipment.
He testified that they found.22 caliber bullets in the black
lockbox that was left unlocked.
During a briefcross-examination, james Sultan
questioned Detective Elliottabout the surveillance camera in
(21:21):
the interview room and outsidethe police station.
Sultan said quote you wanted tosee what Aaron was doing,
correct End quote?
Detective Elliott responded yes.
Then Sultan accused thedetective of using a camera
feature to zoom in on Aaron inthe car, which Detective Elliott
(21:43):
acknowledged that he haddone On March 4, 2015,.
Prosecutors in the Odin-Lloydtrial tried to introduce the
Florida shooting into the case.
Although the judge had ruledbefore the trial began that the
case could not be brought up,aaron's lawyers had filed a
(22:04):
motion to have it kept out Incourt.
Prosecutors argued that AaronHernandez murdered Odin Lloyd
after an altercation in a Bostonnight club on June 14th.
However, the reason for thealtercation was not clear, with
some saying that it was becauseOdin was talking to people
(22:25):
involved in the 2012 shootingand others saying it was because
he knew that Aaron was gay andwasn't going to keep his mouth
shut.
Various pieces of evidence haveemerged about Aaron Hernandez's
sexuality, butthat remains relatively murky
overall.
Detective Arrigi testified towhen he and the Massachusetts
(22:50):
State Trooper went to theHernandez residence, looking
around the property and lookingfor Aaron.
Aaron's attorney, james Sultan,conducted a very combative
cross-examination of DetectiveArrigi Riggi.
(23:13):
Sultan forced Detective Riggito acknowledge essential and
arguably exonerating detailsabout the circumstances of the
visit to the Hernandez home,including Riggi and the state
trooper were not wearing policeuniforms when they visited the
Hernandez residence.
Instead, they wore shirts andties and, although the state
trooper's badge and gun werevisible on his belt, sultan
(23:34):
described the outfits ascivilian clothing, whereas Arigi
characterized them as businessattire.
Regardless, sultan suggestedthat the two cops might not have
looked like cops, especially solate at night.
The two cops might not havelooked like cops,
especially so late at night.
The officers waited in anunmarked Ford Escape.
This arguably could have madethem seem suspicious to Aaron
(23:58):
and his fiancée, particularlygiven that Aaron used drugs and
perhaps interacted with drugdealers.
The officers also had noinvitation to walk around the
perimeter of Aaron's home andthey did not have a search
warrant.
Sultan wanted jurors toconclude that the officers acted
(24:23):
more like trespassers ratherthan officers.
It was late at night andunusual, if not altogether
inappropriate for the time, ofthe officers to knock on
someone's door.
Sultan hoped that the jurorsimagined being home and hearing
loud knocks on their door ataround 10 pm.
They may not answer the doorand could wonder if the person
or persons knocking are a threat.
(24:45):
Aaron was under no legalobligation to answer the door.
This is an obvious butimportant point.
Citizens have no legal duty toanswer their door when there is
a ring or a knock.
Sultan also chastised DetectiveArigi for pulling Shanna over,
(25:07):
given that it was 11 pm and thathe knew she had a baby in the
car and there was no trafficviolation.
Sultan framed Detective Arigias an over-aggressive and
insensitive person, whereasDetective Arigi insisted he
followedprocedures and was being
thorough.
On April 9, 2015, aphotographer for NBC affiliate
(25:34):
WHDH-TV was banned fromreporting and taking pictures at
the trial as one of their newstrucks had followed a jury van
the previous day.
In closing statements, in lightof substantial physical
evidence provided by theprosecution, the defense
(25:56):
admitted to Aaron being presentduring the murder, but
downplayed his role.
The defense said that he was anunwilling participant who,
quote, was a 23-year-old kid whowitnessed something a shocking
killing committed by someone heknew.
He really didn't know what todo, so he just put one foot in
(26:19):
front of the other.
End, quote.
On April 15, 2015,.
Aaron Hernandez was foundguilty of murder in the first
degree, a charge that, inMassachusetts, automatically
carries a sentence of life inprison without any possibility
(26:40):
of parole.
He was also found guilty offive firearm charges.
A motive for the murder wasnever definitively established.
Police investigated thepossibility that Odin may have
learned of Aaron's sexuality andthat he was worried that Odin
might out him to others.
(27:01):
The Boston Globe describedAaron as being strangely content
while in jail.
Globe described Aaron as beingstrangely content while in jail,
an attitude that confused hisfiance.
He told his mother quote I'vebeen the most relaxed and less
stressed in jail than I have outof jail end quote.
(27:23):
He was, however, punished onmultiple occasions for breaking
prison rules, includingscreaming and banging on his
cell door.
Over his four years behind bars, he increasingly turned to the
Bible and became more religious.
Aaron was not popular with histeammates and had few friends in
(27:48):
the locker room.
Popular with his teammates andhad few friends in the locker
room.
According to one of histeammates, he seemed to enjoy
being an outcast on the team.
Tom Brady was overheard after agame telling Tim Tebow that he
was trying to steer Aaron in theright direction, but called him
a lot to handle.
Tebow had previously tried tohelp Aaron as well and enlisted
(28:12):
Brady for the same purpose.
Aaron was, however, known asone of
the team's hardest workingmembers.
Acquaintances described Aaronas a follower who put himself in
jeopardy by hanging out with adangerous crowd.
As a patriot, he hired two ofhis friends from Bristol as
(28:32):
assistants, both of whom hadcriminal records.
One of them was AlexanderBradley.
He was a drug dealer as hisassistant.
Bradley's other duties includedcalming Aaron down during fits
of rage and paranoia andobtaining weapons and drugs for
(28:53):
him.
Other patriots said that Aaronoften sought attention and
seemed unhinged.
However, by June 2013, billBelichick was running out of
patience with Aaron and intendedto notify the front office to
haveAaron released from the team.
In one of his letters fromprison, aaron criticized Robert
(29:16):
Kraft as quote fake ass,non-loyal end quote.
But he expressed admiration forseveral other of his teammates.
He was the closest to Tom Bradyand friendly with Julian
Edelman and Deion Branch.
He also called Rob Gronkowskiquote the best tight end to ever
(29:38):
walk on the football field endquote.
The Boston Globe said thatprison officials quote seemed to
turn a blind eye to Hernandez'sdrug use and neglected to
safeguard their famous inmateend quote.
A fellow inmate reportedmultiple instances of Aaron
(29:59):
needing medical attention aftersmoking too much K2, which was
rife at the prison at the time,which was rife at the prison at
the time.
Aaron could speak to Shana onthe phone and often did twice a
day, but she was facing perjurycharges related to his arrest.
(30:22):
He only saw his daughter whenShana's mother brought her to
visit.
While in prison he reconciledwith his own mother, from who he
had beenestranged from for many years.
While being held at the BristolCounty Jail, aaron was kept in
(30:46):
a segregated unit, a bleaksection that usually housed the
mentally ill and violent.
He asked to be moved out ofsegregation, but Sheriff Thomas
M Hodgson would not allow it.
Aaron believed that Hodgsonexploited his incarceration for
publicity.
After his conviction for themurder of Odin Lloyd, aaron was
(31:16):
transferred to cell 57 of the G2block at Sousa Barnowski
Correctional Center, a maximumsecurity prison where inmates
typically spend 20 hours a dayin their cells.
In his two years here, aaronwas disciplined dozens of times.
His lawyer claimed that he wastaunted relentlessly by guards.
His lawyer claimed that he wastaunted relentlessly by guards.
According to Kiko Thomas, whowas serving 17 to 19 years with
(31:41):
Aaron on a manslaughter charge.
Aaron was quote seen as a fraudby many and a god by some end
quote While in prison, aaroncontinued to work out and
anticipated returning to the NFL.
On May 11, 2015, aaronHernandez was indicted for
(32:08):
witness intimidation for theAlexander Bradley shooting,
since Alexander was reportedly awitness to the 2012 Boston
double homicide.
The intimidation charge forAaron carried a maximum penalty
of 10 years in prison.
On May 15th, the districtattorney in Suffolk County,
massachusetts, said AlexanderBradley was a precipient witness
to the double murder in Bostonthat Aaron was charged with
(32:28):
committing in 2012.
Three and a half months later,on August 27, 2015, alexander
Bradley, a friend and formerassistant of Aaron Hernandez,
received immunity fromprosecutors in connection with a
double murder case against him.
(32:50):
On December 4th, guards at theSousa Barnowski Correctional
Center in Lancaster,massachusetts, found a shank in
Aaron's cell during a search ofhis prison block.
After the incident, he wasremoved from the general
population and put in anisolated unit.
(33:10):
In February 2016, aaron settledthe lawsuit with Alexander.
The terms of the settlementwere not disclosed In part one.
Alexander had wanted $5 millionto keep his silence and Aaron
had countered with $1.5 million,and then Alexander Bradley
(33:33):
asked for $2.5 million.
After that, aaron didn'trespond and allowed his
attorneys to handle everything,but they were unable to
make a settlement until now.
On May 12, 2016,.
Ernest Wallace, friend of AaronHernandez, was acquitted of
(33:53):
murder in the 2013 killing ofOdin Lloyd, but Wallace was
found guilty of being anaccessory after the fact to the
murder.
On June 8, 2016,.
Jose Baez yes, that same JoseBaez who represented Casey
Anthony in 2011,.
(34:14):
He was retained to serve aslead counsel for Aaron
during his double homicide trial.
On December 20, 2016,.
Aaron was identified as thetrigger man in the 2012 shooting
of Daniel DiAbreu and CefiroFurtado and, due to his 2013
(34:37):
arrest and subsequent convictionfor the murder of Odin Lloyd,
massachusetts authoritiescontacted police in Florida to
try to determine whether Aaronwas suspected of having a role
in the 2007 shooting.
Detective Tom Mullins, who wasassigned to reinvestigate the
shooting, concluded that Aaronwas not the trigger man.
(34:59):
Although Carson initiallyidentified Aaron as the shooter,
other witnesses that nightdescribed the shooter as looking
like a black male, possiblywith cornrows.
When Detective Mullinsre-interviewed Carson, carson
rescinded his statement of theshooter matching Aaron and said
he never saw Aaron at the scenebut assumed he was the shooter
(35:23):
because, quote they had wordsearlier at the club end quote.
They had words earlierat the club end quote.
This charge was included inAaron's trial for the double
homicide, which began on March1st 2017.
During the trial, it wasrevealed that Alexander texted
(35:48):
his lawyer about the shooting ina deleted text message which
read quote Now you sure, once Iwithdraw this lawsuit, I won't
be held on perjury after I tellthe truth about me not recalling
anything about who shot me.
End quote.
Jose Baez told Aaron HernandezUncovered that the prosecution
wanted to speak with to informher of the witness testimony
(36:10):
before she found out in court.
According to Baez, theprosecution was hoping that by
disclosing this information toCheyenne, she would turn on
Aaronand effectively ruin his defense
.
When Baez spoke with Aaronabout the possibility of his
sexuality being discussed duringthe trial, aaron was very
(36:32):
concerned about how it wouldaffect Shana.
George Leontire, aaron's otherdefense attorney, echoed this by
saying, quote His biggestconcern about his sexuality was
how it would impact Shana andsomehow diminish in her eyes the
tremendous love that he feltfor her.
(36:52):
Here's a man who happened to begay, who loved a woman end
quote.
Baez said, quote.
I could see the betrayal in herface when I mentioned the man
that Aaron had an affair with.
She knew him and had spent timewith him and Aaron.
She felt like a fool.
End quote.
(37:13):
George Leontier said quoteAaron and I talked about his
sexuality.
This man clearly was gay,acknowledged it, acknowledged
the immense pain that it causedhim.
I think that he also came outof a culture that was so
negative about gay people thathe exhibited some self-hatred.
(37:36):
End quote George told AaronHernandez Uncovered that he went
to the judge and theprosecutors and said quote the
law isvery clear about this issue.
You cannot use a person'ssexuality in the manner in which
you are using it.
It's been outlawed in thiscommonwealth and if you go
(37:58):
forward with this theory, I canonly promise you it will have
repercussions not only in thiscourtroom but outside of this
courtroom.
End quote.
Jose Baez added in hisinterview, saying that
George said quote.
End quote.
(38:24):
One of the critical mistakesinvestigators made during the
initial crime sceneinvestigation was to carelessly
leave the victims' bodies insidetheir vehicle, as it was towed
away as evidence.
That disturbed the crime sceneand helped make for a lack of
(38:53):
physical evidence tying AaronHernandez to the shooting, all
but assuring a not guiltyverdict.
On April 14, 2017, aaronHernandez was found not guilty
in the double murder trial inSuffolk Superior Court.
The jury did find him guilty onone count of illegal possession
(39:15):
of firearms.
They also acquitted him of thecharge of witness intimidation.
When the news of his acquittalwas read on the TV, the inmates
gathered around the televisionin the prison cheered.
They kicked their cell doorsand cheered when Aaron returned
to the prison that night.
(39:35):
In the nine days between hisacquittal and his death, aaron
gave his food, books and eventelevision to his fellow
prisoners, but gave noindication that he intended to
take his own life no indicationthat he intended to take his own
life.
According to a fellow inmate,gifts such as these were rare in
(40:01):
prison, but not unusual forAaron.
In a jailhouse conversation,aaron accused his mother, terry,
of failing to obtain medicationfor his ADHD, which he said
caused him to struggle in school.
In another call, he told herquote there's so many things I
would talk to you about so youcan know me as a person, but I
never could tell you and you'regonna die without even
(40:25):
knowing your son.
End quote.
On April 17, 2017, reporterMichelle McPhee appeared on the
Kirk and Callahan Sports RadioShow during which she and the
two hosts used innuendos toimply that Aaron was gay.
It has been suggested that thisouting may have played a role
(40:50):
in his suicide.
The night it aired it got backto Aaron.
He had a call with a friend andthe friend said that it really
bothered Aaron that people weretalking about his sexuality.
In the Oxygen special, aaronHernandez uncovered Michelle
McPhee said, quote.
It seemed to me this issomething he had been planning
(41:13):
for a while, long before I everwent on a
talk radio show.
End quote.
Jerry Callahan had a lot moreto say.
He said quote.
I'm not sure why everyone wasafraid to report it.
I guess it was this fear ofbeing labeled a homophobe.
When you're talking about afriggin murderer, we reported it
(41:34):
.
If that pushed him over theedge, so be it.
I have no regret.
I don't know why anyone wouldend quote.
And I found it very interestingthat he immediately went with
people perceiving the homophobicroute, because the segment they
did with Michelle was in factvery homophobic.
(41:55):
I'm going to read you part ofthe transcript from their show
that I got from the Daily MailJerry Callahan, this rumor, this
Aaron Hernandez rumor, which isso juicy I
want to get into it.
It is big, michelle McPhee.
I mean, hey, let's tease away,jerry.
(42:15):
Michelle knows the real motivefor the murder of Odin Lloyd and
let's just say that Odin Lloydcaught Aaron Hernandez in a
compromising position.
Michelle, you could say thatAaron Hernandez was a former
tight end before he was kickedoff the Patriots Kirk Minahan
(42:37):
tight end on and off the fieldas well, jerry and then he
became a wide receiver, kirk, soyou think he's comfortable in
the prison lifestyle.
He's probably doing well forhimself romantically perhaps,
michelle.
Let's just say that AaronHernandez is known to kick with
(42:57):
both feet.
Jerry and Odin Lloyd knew it.
And Odin Lloyd, michelle, hemade the unfortunate move to say
that out loud to somebody.
Trigger warning the topic ofsuicide is about to be
discussed.
Listener discretion is advised.
(43:18):
On April 19th 2017, at 3.05 amEastern Standard Time, five days
after Aaron Hernandez wasacquitted of the 2012 Boston
double homicide of DanielDiAbreu and Saphiro Furtado,
corrections officers found Aaronhanging with bedsheets from the
(43:41):
window in his cell at the SousaBernowski Correctional Center
in Lancaster, massachusetts.
In Lancaster Massachusetts.
He was transported to UMassMemorial Hospital, leominster,
where he was pronounced dead at4.07 am.
He had been smoking K2, a drugassociated with psychosis.
(44:10):
Within 30 hours of his death, afellow inmate told
investigators that he had spentmuch of the previous two days
smoking the syntheticcannabinoid.
The State Department ofCorrection spokesman,
christopher Fallon, first saidthat no suicide note was found
in the initial search of thetwo-person cell which Aaron
occupied alone.
Which Aaron occupied alone OnApril 20, 2017, investigators
(44:38):
reported that three handwrittennotes were next to a Bible open
to John 3.16, and that John 3.16was written on
his forehead in red ink.
For anyone not familiar withthe passage of John 3.16, it
goes Shampoo was found coveringthe floor, cardboard was wedged
(45:11):
under the cell door to make itdifficult for someone to enter,
and there were drawings in bloodon the walls showing an
unfinished pyramid and theall-seeing eye of God with the
word Illuminati written incapital letters underneath.
The drawings were references tothe Nation of Gods and Earths,
a black supremacist movement.
(45:33):
Aaron learned about the Nationof Gods and Earths, a movement
influenced by Islam, throughhip-hop culture.
While in prison, he alsoexpressed an interest in
Christianity, telling fellowprisoners that, quote we all
have Jesus Christinside of us.
End quote.
On April 21st 2017, the judgeordered all evidence be
(45:59):
preserved in Aaron Hernandez'ssuicide the same day,
investigative reporter MichelleMcPhee wrote a story claiming
that multiple people close toAaron were on the record, saying
that Aaron was gay.
The idea gained more tractionwhen reports surfaced that Aaron
had had an affair with ateammate named Dennis Sansui in
(46:24):
high school and had even comeout to his family.
On April 24th, the courtallowed Aaron Hernandez's family
to see the alleged suicidenotes, including the one he left
for his fiancee, shana Jenkins.
The following day, on April25th, aaron's lawyers filed a
(46:45):
motion with the MassachusettsSuperior Court in Fall River to
vacate his murder conviction.
Jose Baez reprinted contents ofthe notes in his 2018 book
Unnecessary Roughness.
One short letter was addressedto Baez, thanking him for
(47:07):
securing the acquittal in thedouble homicide and anticipating
an appeal in the Odin-Lloydcase.
And anticipating an appeal inthe Odin-Lloyd case.
In addition, aaron asked Baezto pass along thanks to specific
musicians whose songs he foundinspiring.
The other two notes wereaddressed
to Aaron's fiancée and daughter.
(47:27):
Aaron's letter to Shanna saidquote unquote which prosecutors
in the Odin-Lloyd case believedwas a reference to the abatement
of Benicio, the legal doctrinethat vacates convictions if the
defendant dies before theirappeals are exhausted.
In contrast to thestraightforward letter to Baez,
(47:48):
the lawyer described the othernotes as written in a disjointed
and markedly ominous tone.
The Boston Globe described theletter to his daughter as quote
strange, rambling, mystical andtender end quote.
In these notes, aaron describedentering a quote timeless realm
(48:10):
end quote and announced that hewould
see his family in heaven.
Prison officials had notobserved any signs that Aaron
was at risk for suicide, so hehad not been put on an around
the clock watch.
Upon completion of the autopsyby the medical examiner, the
(48:31):
death was officially ruled asuicide by hanging CTE, a
(48:58):
progressive degenerative diseasefound in people who have had a
severe blow or repeated blows tothe head, including football
players.
Baez quickly disputed any claimof suicide and stated that he
would initiate his owninvestigation of the death.
However, in 2018, baez wrotethat he was initially suspicious
of the suicide finding, giventhat Aaron's optimistic demeanor
after the acquittal in thedouble homicide, but he later
(49:23):
came to believe Aaron had takenhis own life, with CTE being a
major contributing factor.
After his brain was removed,aaron's body was cremated and
his asheswere given to his family.
On May 9, 2017, judge Garshvacated Aaron Hernandez's
(49:44):
conviction in the murder of OdinL Lloyd.
Odin L Lloyd, following thestate's legal precedent that
reverses convictions if adefendant dies before all appeal
possibilities are exhausted.
The Lloyd family wasdisappointed with the ruling,
but their attorney did notbelieve it would affect the
wrongful death civil suit thatthe family had filed.
(50:07):
Odin Lloyd's mother, ursulaWard, fought back against the
ruling, saying Aaron wouldalways be guilty in the eyes of
her family.
Ursula said, quote in our bookhe's guilty and he's going to
always be guilty, but I know, Iknow one day I'm going to see my
(50:28):
son and that's the victory thatI have and I am going to take
with me.
I am waiting for my master tosay well done my good and
faithful servant and welcome tothe joys of my kingdom, and
that's when I'll see my babyagain.
I am not giving up.
(50:48):
When God says the battle isover, the battle is over.
So I'm holding on until hetells me to give up.
End quote.
On September 21st 2017, bostonUniversity's Center for Chronic
Traumatic Encephalopathyannounced that the study of
Aaron's brain indicated a level3 CTE, one step short of the
(51:14):
most severe level.
The Massachusetts SupremeJudicial Court heard the appeal
in November 2018, a year afterAaron's death.
The attorney representing theLloyd family, thomas M Quinn III
, argued that Aaron wasrightfully convicted of Odin's
(51:34):
murder and that the convictionwas unfairly wiped out.
Quinn also argued that Aaronkilled himself, knowing the
technicality that would get hisconviction thrown out, and that,
quote, he should not be able toaccomplish in death what he
never would have been able todo in life.
(51:54):
End quote.
In March of 2018, alyssaAnderson told producers of
Oxygen's Aaron HernandezUncovered that she and Aaron
developed a quote really, reallystrong relationship and quote
while they were attending theUniversity of Florida.
Though they decided to break upwhen he was drafted by the New
(52:17):
England Patriots in 2010, thetwo remained on good terms.
Alyssa even reached out toAaron when she heard he had been
arrested in connection with theshooting of Odin Lloyd.
Alyssa said quote when Ioriginally heard Aaron got in
trouble, I wrote him a letter.
That started kind of a back andforth for the next couple of
(52:40):
years.
End quote.
During her interview with AaronHernandez Uncovered, she claims
the letters became morerevealing as his legal troubles
mounted.
Quote towards the end of hisfirst trial into the second
trial.
The letters became more intense.
He did open up about some ofthe struggles he had gone
(53:01):
through as a kid.
He admitted to being molestedas a kid, but he never dealt
with it and it led to issues inhis sexuality end quote.
In one of his letters, alyssasaid that Aaron admitted to
being in a relationship with anunidentified man Quote back in
college there was text messagesI saw on his phone when he came
(53:24):
back from a trip in Connecticutthat was from a male that didn't
have a name.
It didn't really say too much,but it was a relationship with
somebody and when I questionedhim about it he always denied it
.
And then in one of the lettershe opened up about it and he did
(53:44):
admit it End quote.
In an image of the letterthat's been released, it says in
part A March 13, 2019,massachusetts Supreme Judicial
(54:05):
Court reinstated the lateAaron Hernandez's first-degree
murder conviction.
The late Aaron Hernandez'sfirst-degree murder conviction.
The state's legal precedentvacates convictions if a
defendant dies before all appealpossibilities are exhausted,
which returned Aaron's case toits pretrial status.
In their ruling, the court alsoofficially ended the practice
(54:28):
of abatement ab initio, rulingthat it was outdated, never made
sense and was quote no longerconsonant with the circumstances
of contemporary life, if infact it ever was.
End quote.
After the ruling, aaron'sestate vowed
(54:48):
to appeal the ruling further.
In January 2020, netflixreleased a docuseries called
Killer Inside the Mind of AaronHernandez that chronicles
Aaron's life and career, as wellas his crimes and his death.
It also probes into both hissexuality and the post-mortem
(55:09):
diagnosis of chronic CTE.
There is sufficient reason tobelieve that CTE played a
significant role in why AaronHernandez murdered Odin Lloyd
and why he may have committedother acts of seemingly
inexplicable violence.
Dr Anne McKee, aneuropathologist who specializes
(55:31):
in CTE at Boston University,studied Aaron's brain after his
death and found it so plagued byCTE that she was shocked.
The brain she was examining wasany
younger than 46 years old.
What is ultimately to blame forAaron Hernandez's short,
violent life is still somethingof a mystery.
(55:53):
The toxic mix of brain damagesuffered on the field, childhood
trauma and shame about hishomosexuality likely all played
a role in shaping his tragicfate.
Despite the outcome of thetrial, questions still linger
about Aaron's past and what ledhim down such a destructive path
(56:15):
.
Some suggest that the trauma heexperienced as a child,
including the loss of his fatherat a young age, may have played
a role.
Others point to the potentialimpact that his NFL career had
on his mental health, includingthe frequent head injuries he
sustained while playing.
Regardless of the reasons,aaron's tragic end serves as a
(56:40):
stark reminder of the dangers ofunbridled ambition and the
importance of seeking help whenfaced with mental health
struggles.
His story should inspire us allto prioritize self-care and
seek assistance when we need itmost.
And that concludes our case onAaron Hernandez and his crimes.
(57:00):
Throughout this journey, wehave explored the dark and
complex world surrounding theformer NFL player, shedding
light on events that foreverchanged the lives of those
involved.
As we reflect on the story ofAaron Hernandez, it becomes
clear that there are no simpleanswers or straightforward
(57:22):
explanations.
The case serves as a starkreminder of the complexities of
human nature, the consequencesof our choices and the
far-reaching impact of violence.
We have examined theinvestigations, trials and
aftermath, seeking to understandthe motivations and
(57:42):
circumstances that led to theseheinous acts.
But beyond the courtroom drama,we have also explored the
broader societal issuessurrounding this case, such as
the pressures of fame, theinfluence of professional sports
and the impact of personalstruggles on mental health.
In sharing this story, we hopeto foster a deeper understanding
(58:05):
of the factors contributing tosuch tragic events, to such
tragic events.
Examining Aaron Hernandez'scase reminds us of the
importance of compassion,empathy and early intervention
in addressing the underlyingissues that can lead individuals
down a destructive path.
I extend my deepest sympathiesto the victims and their
(58:27):
families, who have enduredunimaginable pain and loss.
My thoughts are also with thosewho have been affected by
similar acts of violence as westrive to create a
safer and more compassionatesociety.
Thank you for joining me onthis gripping and
thought-provoking journey.
Remember, if you or someone youknow is struggling and having
(58:51):
suicidal thoughts, help isavailable.
You can call or text 988 tospeak with someone.
If you enjoy the podcast,please share it with your family
and friends and be sure tosubscribe and follow.
You can find Crime Connoisseurswherever you listen to your
(59:12):
podcasts and on Instagram atCrime Connoisseurs.
In the meantime, keep it classy, connoisseurs, and I'll catch
you on the next case.
Thank you you.
Welcome back Crime Connoisseurs.
I'm your host, grace D.
Last week we covered thebeginning of Aaron Hernandez's
life and his football career.
We left off with the murder ofOdin Lloyd, so if you haven't
listened to Part 1 yet, stop andgo, give it a listen.
In our previous episode, wedelved into the shocking events
(00:24):
surrounding the former NFLplayer's life and the crimes
that ultimately led to hisdownfall.
Today we continue ourexploration, uncovering new
details and shedding light onthe complex web of circumstances
that surrounded Aaron'stroubled existence Aaron's
troubled existence.
In this episode, we will diveeven deeper into the
(00:46):
investigations, trials andaftermath of the crimes
committed by Aaron Hernandez.
We'll examine the evidencepresented in court, the
testimonies of key witnesses andthe legal strategies employed
by both the prosecution and thedefense.
As we navigate through theintricacies of the case, we'll
(01:09):
strive to understand the motivesbehind Aaron's actions and
their impact on the lives ofthose involved.
But the story goes beyond thecourtroom.
We'll also explore thepsychological and societal
factors that may havecontributed to his descent into
violence, examining theinfluences of fame, wealth and
(01:33):
the pressure of professionalsports.
So buckle up, ladies and gents,as we embark on this gripping
quest of one of the mostnotorious cases in recent memory
.
Quest of one of the mostnotorious cases in recent memory
.
Please be advised that thecontent discussed in this
episode may be disturbing andsensitive.
The topic of suicide will bediscussed in this episode.
(01:57):
If you or someone you know isstruggling and having suicidal
thoughts, help is available.
You can call or text 988 tospeak with someone.
Listener, discretion is advised.
So On June 17, 2013, the bodyof Odin Lloyd, a
(03:02):
semi-professional footballplayer who was a linebacker for
the Boston Bandits football team, was found shot multiple times
in an industrial park near NorthAttleboro, massachusetts.
Odin Lloyd was dating ShaniaJenkins, the sister of Aaron
Hernandez's girlfriend, shianaJenkins.
At the crime scene, detectivesfound a white towel, a
half-smoked blunt, five .45caliber shell casings, tire
(03:28):
tracks and shoe prints On Odin'sperson.
They found his wallet, allowingthem to ID him, and two sets of
rental car keys.
They quickly worked the sceneas they learned that rain was
about to come in.
They quickly worked the sceneas they learned that rain was
about to come in.
(03:48):
They tarped over Odin's bodyand the evidence that they found
and promptly made impressionsof the shoe print and the tire
tracks before the rain couldruin it.
Since the industrial park areawhere Odin's body was found was
near a gold refinery.
There were surveillance camerasall over the area, so
(04:11):
investigators began reviewingthe surveillance videos.
The police also ran the carkeys found on Odin's person and
those corresponded to a carrented by Aaron
Hernandez.
After identifying the keys asbelonging to Aaron Hernandez's
rental agreement, detective DanArrigi and a Massachusetts state
trooper drove to Aaron's homeabout a mile from where Odin
(04:37):
Lloyd's body was.
They arrived at the home at9.40 pm and approached his front
door.
They arrived at the home at9.40 pm and approached his front
door.
The officers rang the doorbellat around 9.45, but no answer.
Seeing cars parked in thedriveway and lights on in the
house, the officers peeked intoAaron's windows, then canvassed
(05:00):
the perimeter of his house andglanced into the garage, the
perimeter of his house andglanced into the garage.
Detective Arigi and the statetrooper then walked over to a
neighbor's home who happened tobe New England Patriots
assistant coach Joe Judge.
Joe attempted to get Aaron'scell phone number for them.
(05:20):
The officers then returned totheir car and watched for
activity inside thehouse.
According to Detective Arigi,aaron came out of his house at
around 10 30 pm.
The two greeted each other inthe driveway and shook hands.
They began a brief conversationduring which Aaron said he had
(05:44):
been monitoring the officersthrough his home surveillance
system.
According to Detective Arigi,aaron also referred to Odin as
quote my boy O end quote duringthe conversation.
As Detective Arigie asked Aaronmore and more questions related
(06:12):
to Odin, detective Arigie saidthat Aaron became agitated and
angrily walked away.
However, aaron agreed to driveover to the North Attleboro
Police Station along with hisfiancée Cheyenne Jenkins and
their baby daughter.
After dropping off Aaron at thepolice station, cheyenne began
and their baby daughter, afterdropping off Aaron at the police
station, cheyenne began todrive home.
(06:34):
Detective Arigie and the statetrooper followed Cheyenne and
pulled her car over at 11 pmeven though no traffic violation
had occurred.
Detective Arigie said that thetwo wanted to speak with
Cheyenne and asked her to returnto the police
station.
The next day, the policesearched the Hernandez home in
connection with an investigationinto the shooting death of
(06:56):
friend Odin Lloyd, whose bodywas found with multiple gunshot
wounds to the back and chest inan industrial park about a mile
from the Hernandez residence.
The following day, aaronassured Patriots head coach Bill
Belichick and owner RobertKraft that he had nothing to do
(07:18):
with the shooting.
Despite this, aaron was bannedfrom Gillette Stadium lest it
became the site of a mediastakeout.
The team also decided that theywould sever all ties with Aaron
if he were arrested on anycharge related to the case.
No-transcript Detective MichaelElliott immediately drove to
(08:06):
the car rental agency and metwith several members of the
Massachusetts State Police.
The office manager told himthat the car had been cleaned
and possible evidence discardedinto a dumpster.
One of the troopers climbedinto the container and removed
several items a .45 calibershell casing attached to blue
bubble gum, a water bottle and acrumbled up piece of paper.
(08:30):
As police combed throughsurveillance videos, they found
footage of Aaron dancing at agas station as he entered the
store.
He is then seen purchasingbubblicious cotton candy
flavored gum at the gas stationconvenience store when he drove
to Boston on June 16, 2013 topick up Odin On June 21, 2013,
(09:00):
police found surveillance videosplacing Aaron and Odin together
the night ofthe murder.
That same day, aaron made tripsto his lawyers and a gas
station, and his movements weretracked by media helicopters.
Two days later, aaron's homewas searched again for four
(09:21):
hours.
This time, k-9 officersassisted in the search.
On June 26th, the infamousimage of Aaron Hernandez being
walked out of his home in redshorts and a white t-shirt that
was placed over him after hishands were cuffed behind him
took place.
Aaron was arrested and chargedwith first-degree murder, in
(09:46):
addition to one count ofcarrying a firearm without a
license, two counts ofpossessing a large-capacity
firearm and two counts ofpossessing a firearm without a
firearm identification card.
About 90 minutes later, thePatriots released Aaron from the
team before being officiallyinformed of the charges against
(10:10):
him.
Aaron was held without bail atthe Bristol County.
Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallacewere also arrested in
connection with Odin Lloyd'sdeath.
(10:30):
Carlos Ortiz told police thatAaron secretly rented an
apartment in Franklin,massachusetts.
The Associated Press reported asubsequent search of the
apartment.
That quote turned up ammunitionand clothing that police
(10:50):
believe could be evidence in themurder case against him.
End quote.
Carlos was held on a $500,000bail After his arrest for the
murder of Odin Lloyd.
Bill Belichick prohibitedAaron's name from being spoken
in the locker room.
(11:11):
Rob Gronkowski repeatedlydeclined to answer any questions
about Aaron in interviews andhe nearly walked out during a
CBS interview in 2013 until thereporter agreed to change the
(11:31):
subject away from hisformer teammate.
On June 28th, the policerecovered the silver Chrysler
that they believed Aaron Odinand the two other men were in
the night of Odin's murder.
On July 3rd, the Gainesvillepolice released a 51-page report
on the 2007 double shooting inwhich Aaron Hernandez was
(11:53):
questioned.
It's believed that an argumentabout a gold necklace may have
sparked that shooting.
On July 9th, text messagesbetween Aaron and Odin on the
night of the murder surfaced indocuments unsealed by law
enforcement.
A grand jury in Suffolk County,massachusetts, then began
(12:18):
hearings on July 24th 2013 forthe 2012
double murder.
2013 for the 2012 double murder.
The next day, the surveillancevideos from Aaron's home were
made public for the first timeand they appear to show him
holding a gun.
On July 30, 2013, police diverssearched a lake in Bristol,
(12:41):
connecticut, for the murderweapon in Odin Lloyd's murder,
but found nothing.
On August 19, 2013, police inSpringfield, massachusetts,
found the gun used in the 2012double murder in Boston, but
still have been unable to turnup the gun used in Odin Lloyd's
(13:04):
murder.
Three days later, aaron wasindicted by a grand jury for the
murder of Odin Lloyd and onSeptember 3rd 2013, aaron's
lawyers filed a postponementrequest in federal court until
his murder charges were resolved.
(13:24):
Aaron plednot guilty.
On September 6th, ernestWallace was charged as an
accessory after the fact in OdinLloyd's murder on September
19th.
Then, on September 27th, carlosOrtiz was indicted on a single
count of accessory to the murderafter the fact in the killing
(13:48):
of Odin.
In addition, aaron's fiancee,cheyenne Jenkins, and his cousin
, tanya Cummings Singleton werealso charged as accessories to
murder for their suspectedinvolvement in assisting Aaron
after the killing of Odin Lloyd.
Two months later, on November27, 2013, aaron pleaded the
(14:13):
Fifth Amendment in response toAlexander Bradley's lawsuit.
In part one, we covered howAlexander Bradley filed a
lawsuit against Aaron Hernandezfor shooting him in the head and
him going blind in one eye.
Odin Lloyd's family filed awrongful death suit against
(14:36):
Aaron Hernandez on December 19,2013.
And about a month later, bostonpolice documents are revealed
that connected Aaron to the 2012double murder for the
first time.
Things are quiet for a coupleof months after this, but on
(14:57):
April 11th, charges againstCarlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace
in Odin Lloyd's death wereupgraded to murder.
Two weeks after that, on May1st, aaron was charged with
assault in a fight with a fellowjail inmate.
Two weeks after that, aaron wasthen indicted for the murders
(15:19):
of Daniel D'Abril and SiferioFurtado in the 2012 double
homicide outside of the CureNightclub in Boston's South End
On May 28th.
Aaron pleaded not guilty to the2012 double murder.
Prosecutors claim that thecrime stemmed from a spilled
(15:43):
drink.
Prosecutors claim that thecrime stemmed from a spilled
drink On June 16, 2014,.
A tentative trial date ofOctober 6 was set for the case
of Odin Lloyd's killing.
Then on June 24, 2014,.
(16:08):
The trial date for the 2012double murders in Boston was set
for Mayof 2015.
Two months later, bristolCounty Superior Court Judge E
Susan Garsh threw out evidencefrom two cell phones and three
tablets taken from Erin's homeduring the investigation of
Odin's death.
She said there were problemswith the warrant taken from
Aaron's home during theinvestigation of Odin's death.
She said there were problemswith the warrant On October 2,
(16:36):
2014,.
Judge Garsh threw out severalpieces of evidence that the
prosecutors conceded weregathered improperly Carlos
Ortiz's cell phone, boxes of .45caliber ammunition and a Glock
.45 caliber magazine loaded withammunition whose brands matched
the brands of the ammunitionfound at the scene of Odin
(16:58):
Lloyd's shooting.
On October 10, 2014,.
Judge Garsh denied a defensemotion to exclude Aaron's cell
phone as evidence.
She said that Aaron's legalteam freely and voluntarily gave
investigators the phone andthen, several weeks later, she
(17:19):
also rejected a defense motionfor a change of venue.
A defense motion for a changeof venue On November 25, 2014,.
The trial for the 2012 slayingswas delayed indefinitely.
A couple weeks after that, onDecember 12, 2014, judge Garsh
(17:41):
ruled that prosecutors could notpresent evidence
in the 2012 killings.
During the trial for OdinLloyd's murder, it's been
reported that Shana Jenkinssought out immunity from
prosecution in exchange for hertestimony against Aaron on
(18:04):
January 7, 2015.
And then two days later, onJanuary 9, aaron's trial for the
shooting death of Odin Lloydbegan in Fall River,
massachusetts.
After missing juror delay,aaron's trial for the shooting
(18:25):
death of Odin Lloyd opened withmurder scene details On January
29, 2015,.
The trial began in Fall RiverMassachusetts with opening
statements from prosecutingattorney Patrick Bomberg and
defense attorney Michael Fee.
Judge E Susan Garsh presided.
(18:47):
Patrick Bomberg and defenseattorney Michael Fee.
Judge E Susan Garsh presided.
The trial was expected to takeabout 10 weeks, but the trial
was delayed on a few occasionsdue to the unprecedented
snowfall in greater Boston.
In opening statements,prosecutors said that Aaron's
(19:11):
DNA was found at the murderscene.
On February 10, 2015, judgeGarsh approved the prosecution's
request to grant immunity toAaron's fiancée, shana Jenkins,
so that she could be called totestify in the
former Patriots' murder trial.
Detective Elliott testifiedthat Aaron voluntarily came to
(19:32):
the police station around 11.15pm on June 18, 2013,.
The day after Odin Lloyd'smurder.
He was placed in an interviewroom.
Detective Elliott alsotestified that he watched Aaron
via surveillance camera At onepoint.
Detective Elliott said thatAaron plugged his cell phone
(19:54):
into the wall and laid down onthe floor next to the phone
charging.
Around 2 am on June 19th,detective Elliott watched Aaron
leave the police station andmeet another man in the parking
lot.
He trained the surveillancecamera outside the building on
Aaron when he got into a car.
(20:15):
Then Detective Elliotttestified that Aaron
disassembled his cell phone andmade a call on the phone of his
lawyer, robert Jones.
William M McCulley, the leadprosecutor, said that Aaron
placed a call to Wallace.
Detective Elliott said that hewatched Aaron's movements for
(20:39):
about 20 minutes in the parkinglot.
Prosecutors played a five toeight minute videotape for the
jury that recorded hisactivities inside the car.
Detective Elliott testifiedthat on June 18th the police
executed a search warrant at theHernandez home to look for guns
(21:00):
, clothing, aaron's cell phoneand surveillance equipment.
He testified that they found.22 caliber bullets in the black
lockbox that was left unlocked.
During a briefcross-examination, james Sultan
questioned Detective Elliottabout the surveillance camera in
(21:21):
the interview room and outsidethe police station.
Sultan said quote you wanted tosee what Aaron was doing,
correct End quote?
Detective Elliott responded yes.
Then Sultan accused thedetective of using a camera
feature to zoom in on Aaron inthe car, which Detective Elliott
(21:43):
acknowledged that he haddone On March 4, 2015,.
Prosecutors in the Odin-Lloydtrial tried to introduce the
Florida shooting into the case.
Although the judge had ruledbefore the trial began that the
case could not be brought up,aaron's lawyers had filed a
(22:04):
motion to have it kept out Incourt.
Prosecutors argued that AaronHernandez murdered Odin Lloyd
after an altercation in a Bostonnight club on June 14th.
However, the reason for thealtercation was not clear, with
some saying that it was becauseOdin was talking to people
(22:25):
involved in the 2012 shootingand others saying it was because
he knew that Aaron was gay andwasn't going to keep his mouth
shut.
Various pieces of evidence haveemerged about Aaron Hernandez's
sexuality, butthat remains relatively murky
overall.
Detective Arrigi testified towhen he and the Massachusetts
(22:50):
State Trooper went to theHernandez residence, looking
around the property and lookingfor Aaron.
Aaron's attorney, james Sultan,conducted a very combative
cross-examination of DetectiveArrigi Riggi.
(23:13):
Sultan forced Detective Riggito acknowledge essential and
arguably exonerating detailsabout the circumstances of the
visit to the Hernandez home,including Riggi and the state
trooper were not wearing policeuniforms when they visited the
Hernandez residence.
Instead, they wore shirts andties and, although the state
trooper's badge and gun werevisible on his belt, sultan
(23:34):
described the outfits ascivilian clothing, whereas Arigi
characterized them as businessattire.
Regardless, sultan suggestedthat the two cops might not have
looked like cops, especially solate at night.
The two cops might not havelooked like cops,
especially so late at night.
The officers waited in anunmarked Ford Escape.
This arguably could have madethem seem suspicious to Aaron
(23:58):
and his fiancée, particularlygiven that Aaron used drugs and
perhaps interacted with drugdealers.
The officers also had noinvitation to walk around the
perimeter of Aaron's home andthey did not have a search
warrant.
Sultan wanted jurors toconclude that the officers acted
(24:23):
more like trespassers ratherthan officers.
It was late at night andunusual, if not altogether
inappropriate for the time, ofthe officers to knock on
someone's door.
Sultan hoped that the jurorsimagined being home and hearing
loud knocks on their door ataround 10 pm.
They may not answer the doorand could wonder if the person
or persons knocking are a threat.
(24:45):
Aaron was under no legalobligation to answer the door.
This is an obvious butimportant point.
Citizens have no legal duty toanswer their door when there is
a ring or a knock.
Sultan also chastised DetectiveArigi for pulling Shanna over,
(25:07):
given that it was 11 pm and thathe knew she had a baby in the
car and there was no trafficviolation.
Sultan framed Detective Arigias an over-aggressive and
insensitive person, whereasDetective Arigi insisted he
followedprocedures and was being
thorough.
On April 9, 2015, aphotographer for NBC affiliate
(25:34):
WHDH-TV was banned fromreporting and taking pictures at
the trial as one of their newstrucks had followed a jury van
the previous day.
In closing statements, in lightof substantial physical
evidence provided by theprosecution, the defense
(25:56):
admitted to Aaron being presentduring the murder, but
downplayed his role.
The defense said that he was anunwilling participant who,
quote, was a 23-year-old kid whowitnessed something a shocking
killing committed by someone heknew.
He really didn't know what todo, so he just put one foot in
(26:19):
front of the other.
End, quote.
On April 15, 2015,.
Aaron Hernandez was foundguilty of murder in the first
degree, a charge that, inMassachusetts, automatically
carries a sentence of life inprison without any possibility
(26:40):
of parole.
He was also found guilty offive firearm charges.
A motive for the murder wasnever definitively established.
Police investigated thepossibility that Odin may have
learned of Aaron's sexuality andthat he was worried that Odin
might out him to others.
(27:01):
The Boston Globe describedAaron as being strangely content
while in jail.
Globe described Aaron as beingstrangely content while in jail,
an attitude that confused hisfiance.
He told his mother quote I'vebeen the most relaxed and less
stressed in jail than I have outof jail end quote.
(27:23):
He was, however, punished onmultiple occasions for breaking
prison rules, includingscreaming and banging on his
cell door.
Over his four years behind bars, he increasingly turned to the
Bible and became more religious.
Aaron was not popular with histeammates and had few friends in
(27:48):
the locker room.
Popular with his teammates andhad few friends in the locker
room.
According to one of histeammates, he seemed to enjoy
being an outcast on the team.
Tom Brady was overheard after agame telling Tim Tebow that he
was trying to steer Aaron in theright direction, but called him
a lot to handle.
Tebow had previously tried tohelp Aaron as well and enlisted
(28:12):
Brady for the same purpose.
Aaron was, however, known asone of
the team's hardest workingmembers.
Acquaintances described Aaronas a follower who put himself in
jeopardy by hanging out with adangerous crowd.
As a patriot, he hired two ofhis friends from Bristol as
(28:32):
assistants, both of whom hadcriminal records.
One of them was AlexanderBradley.
He was a drug dealer as hisassistant.
Bradley's other duties includedcalming Aaron down during fits
of rage and paranoia andobtaining weapons and drugs for
(28:53):
him.
Other patriots said that Aaronoften sought attention and
seemed unhinged.
However, by June 2013, billBelichick was running out of
patience with Aaron and intendedto notify the front office to
haveAaron released from the team.
In one of his letters fromprison, aaron criticized Robert
(29:16):
Kraft as quote fake ass,non-loyal end quote.
But he expressed admiration forseveral other of his teammates.
He was the closest to Tom Bradyand friendly with Julian
Edelman and Deion Branch.
He also called Rob Gronkowskiquote the best tight end to ever
(29:38):
walk on the football field endquote.
The Boston Globe said thatprison officials quote seemed to
turn a blind eye to Hernandez'sdrug use and neglected to
safeguard their famous inmateend quote.
A fellow inmate reportedmultiple instances of Aaron
(29:59):
needing medical attention aftersmoking too much K2, which was
rife at the prison at the time,which was rife at the prison at
the time.
Aaron could speak to Shana onthe phone and often did twice a
day, but she was facing perjurycharges related to his arrest.
(30:22):
He only saw his daughter whenShana's mother brought her to
visit.
While in prison he reconciledwith his own mother, from who he
had beenestranged from for many years.
While being held at the BristolCounty Jail, aaron was kept in
(30:46):
a segregated unit, a bleaksection that usually housed the
mentally ill and violent.
He asked to be moved out ofsegregation, but Sheriff Thomas
M Hodgson would not allow it.
Aaron believed that Hodgsonexploited his incarceration for
publicity.
After his conviction for themurder of Odin Lloyd, aaron was
(31:16):
transferred to cell 57 of the G2block at Sousa Barnowski
Correctional Center, a maximumsecurity prison where inmates
typically spend 20 hours a dayin their cells.
In his two years here, aaronwas disciplined dozens of times.
His lawyer claimed that he wastaunted relentlessly by guards.
His lawyer claimed that he wastaunted relentlessly by guards.
According to Kiko Thomas, whowas serving 17 to 19 years with
(31:41):
Aaron on a manslaughter charge.
Aaron was quote seen as a fraudby many and a god by some end
quote While in prison, aaroncontinued to work out and
anticipated returning to the NFL.
On May 11, 2015, aaronHernandez was indicted for
(32:08):
witness intimidation for theAlexander Bradley shooting,
since Alexander was reportedly awitness to the 2012 Boston
double homicide.
The intimidation charge forAaron carried a maximum penalty
of 10 years in prison.
On May 15th, the districtattorney in Suffolk County,
massachusetts, said AlexanderBradley was a precipient witness
to the double murder in Bostonthat Aaron was charged with
(32:28):
committing in 2012.
Three and a half months later,on August 27, 2015, alexander
Bradley, a friend and formerassistant of Aaron Hernandez,
received immunity fromprosecutors in connection with a
double murder case against him.
(32:50):
On December 4th, guards at theSousa Barnowski Correctional
Center in Lancaster,massachusetts, found a shank in
Aaron's cell during a search ofhis prison block.
After the incident, he wasremoved from the general
population and put in anisolated unit.
(33:10):
In February 2016, aaron settledthe lawsuit with Alexander.
The terms of the settlementwere not disclosed In part one.
Alexander had wanted $5 millionto keep his silence and Aaron
had countered with $1.5 million,and then Alexander Bradley
(33:33):
asked for $2.5 million.
After that, aaron didn'trespond and allowed his
attorneys to handle everything,but they were unable to
make a settlement until now.
On May 12, 2016,.
Ernest Wallace, friend of AaronHernandez, was acquitted of
(33:53):
murder in the 2013 killing ofOdin Lloyd, but Wallace was
found guilty of being anaccessory after the fact to the
murder.
On June 8, 2016,.
Jose Baez yes, that same JoseBaez who represented Casey
Anthony in 2011,.
(34:14):
He was retained to serve aslead counsel for Aaron
during his double homicide trial.
On December 20, 2016,.
Aaron was identified as thetrigger man in the 2012 shooting
of Daniel DiAbreu and CefiroFurtado and, due to his 2013
(34:37):
arrest and subsequent convictionfor the murder of Odin Lloyd,
massachusetts authoritiescontacted police in Florida to
try to determine whether Aaronwas suspected of having a role
in the 2007 shooting.
Detective Tom Mullins, who wasassigned to reinvestigate the
shooting, concluded that Aaronwas not the trigger man.
(34:59):
Although Carson initiallyidentified Aaron as the shooter,
other witnesses that nightdescribed the shooter as looking
like a black male, possiblywith cornrows.
When Detective Mullinsre-interviewed Carson, carson
rescinded his statement of theshooter matching Aaron and said
he never saw Aaron at the scenebut assumed he was the shooter
(35:23):
because, quote they had wordsearlier at the club end quote.
They had words earlierat the club end quote.
This charge was included inAaron's trial for the double
homicide, which began on March1st 2017.
During the trial, it wasrevealed that Alexander texted
(35:48):
his lawyer about the shooting ina deleted text message which
read quote Now you sure, once Iwithdraw this lawsuit, I won't
be held on perjury after I tellthe truth about me not recalling
anything about who shot me.
End quote.
Jose Baez told Aaron HernandezUncovered that the prosecution
wanted to speak with to informher of the witness testimony
(36:10):
before she found out in court.
According to Baez, theprosecution was hoping that by
disclosing this information toCheyenne, she would turn on
Aaronand effectively ruin his defense
.
When Baez spoke with Aaronabout the possibility of his
sexuality being discussed duringthe trial, aaron was very
(36:32):
concerned about how it wouldaffect Shana.
George Leontire, aaron's otherdefense attorney, echoed this by
saying, quote His biggestconcern about his sexuality was
how it would impact Shana andsomehow diminish in her eyes the
tremendous love that he feltfor her.
(36:52):
Here's a man who happened to begay, who loved a woman end
quote.
Baez said, quote.
I could see the betrayal in herface when I mentioned the man
that Aaron had an affair with.
She knew him and had spent timewith him and Aaron.
She felt like a fool.
End quote.
(37:13):
George Leontier said quoteAaron and I talked about his
sexuality.
This man clearly was gay,acknowledged it, acknowledged
the immense pain that it causedhim.
I think that he also came outof a culture that was so
negative about gay people thathe exhibited some self-hatred.
(37:36):
End quote George told AaronHernandez Uncovered that he went
to the judge and theprosecutors and said quote the
law isvery clear about this issue.
You cannot use a person'ssexuality in the manner in which
you are using it.
It's been outlawed in thiscommonwealth and if you go
(37:58):
forward with this theory, I canonly promise you it will have
repercussions not only in thiscourtroom but outside of this
courtroom.
End quote.
Jose Baez added in hisinterview, saying that
George said quote.
End quote.
(38:24):
One of the critical mistakesinvestigators made during the
initial crime sceneinvestigation was to carelessly
leave the victims' bodies insidetheir vehicle, as it was towed
away as evidence.
That disturbed the crime sceneand helped make for a lack of
(38:53):
physical evidence tying AaronHernandez to the shooting, all
but assuring a not guiltyverdict.
On April 14, 2017, aaronHernandez was found not guilty
in the double murder trial inSuffolk Superior Court.
The jury did find him guilty onone count of illegal possession
(39:15):
of firearms.
They also acquitted him of thecharge of witness intimidation.
When the news of his acquittalwas read on the TV, the inmates
gathered around the televisionin the prison cheered.
They kicked their cell doorsand cheered when Aaron returned
to the prison that night.
(39:35):
In the nine days between hisacquittal and his death, aaron
gave his food, books and eventelevision to his fellow
prisoners, but gave noindication that he intended to
take his own life no indicationthat he intended to take his own
life.
According to a fellow inmate,gifts such as these were rare in
(40:01):
prison, but not unusual forAaron.
In a jailhouse conversation,aaron accused his mother, terry,
of failing to obtain medicationfor his ADHD, which he said
caused him to struggle in school.
In another call, he told herquote there's so many things I
would talk to you about so youcan know me as a person, but I
never could tell you and you'regonna die without even
(40:25):
knowing your son.
End quote.
On April 17, 2017, reporterMichelle McPhee appeared on the
Kirk and Callahan Sports RadioShow during which she and the
two hosts used innuendos toimply that Aaron was gay.
It has been suggested that thisouting may have played a role
(40:50):
in his suicide.
The night it aired it got backto Aaron.
He had a call with a friend andthe friend said that it really
bothered Aaron that people weretalking about his sexuality.
In the Oxygen special, aaronHernandez uncovered Michelle
McPhee said, quote.
It seemed to me this issomething he had been planning
(41:13):
for a while, long before I everwent on a
talk radio show.
End quote.
Jerry Callahan had a lot moreto say.
He said quote.
I'm not sure why everyone wasafraid to report it.
I guess it was this fear ofbeing labeled a homophobe.
When you're talking about afriggin murderer, we reported it
(41:34):
.
If that pushed him over theedge, so be it.
I have no regret.
I don't know why anyone wouldend quote.
And I found it very interestingthat he immediately went with
people perceiving the homophobicroute, because the segment they
did with Michelle was in factvery homophobic.
(41:55):
I'm going to read you part ofthe transcript from their show
that I got from the Daily MailJerry Callahan, this rumor, this
Aaron Hernandez rumor, which isso juicy I
want to get into it.
It is big, michelle McPhee.
I mean, hey, let's tease away,jerry.
(42:15):
Michelle knows the real motivefor the murder of Odin Lloyd and
let's just say that Odin Lloydcaught Aaron Hernandez in a
compromising position.
Michelle, you could say thatAaron Hernandez was a former
tight end before he was kickedoff the Patriots Kirk Minahan
(42:37):
tight end on and off the fieldas well, jerry and then he
became a wide receiver, kirk, soyou think he's comfortable in
the prison lifestyle.
He's probably doing well forhimself romantically perhaps,
michelle.
Let's just say that AaronHernandez is known to kick with
(42:57):
both feet.
Jerry and Odin Lloyd knew it.
And Odin Lloyd, michelle, hemade the unfortunate move to say
that out loud to somebody.
Trigger warning the topic ofsuicide is about to be
discussed.
Listener discretion is advised.
(43:18):
On April 19th 2017, at 3.05 amEastern Standard Time, five days
after Aaron Hernandez wasacquitted of the 2012 Boston
double homicide of DanielDiAbreu and Saphiro Furtado,
corrections officers found Aaronhanging with bedsheets from the
(43:41):
window in his cell at the SousaBernowski Correctional Center
in Lancaster, massachusetts.
In Lancaster Massachusetts.
He was transported to UMassMemorial Hospital, leominster,
where he was pronounced dead at4.07 am.
He had been smoking K2, a drugassociated with psychosis.
(44:10):
Within 30 hours of his death, afellow inmate told
investigators that he had spentmuch of the previous two days
smoking the syntheticcannabinoid.
The State Department ofCorrection spokesman,
christopher Fallon, first saidthat no suicide note was found
in the initial search of thetwo-person cell which Aaron
occupied alone.
Which Aaron occupied alone OnApril 20, 2017, investigators
(44:38):
reported that three handwrittennotes were next to a Bible open
to John 3.16, and that John 3.16was written on
his forehead in red ink.
For anyone not familiar withthe passage of John 3.16, it
goes Shampoo was found coveringthe floor, cardboard was wedged
(45:11):
under the cell door to make itdifficult for someone to enter,
and there were drawings in bloodon the walls showing an
unfinished pyramid and theall-seeing eye of God with the
word Illuminati written incapital letters underneath.
The drawings were references tothe Nation of Gods and Earths,
a black supremacist movement.
(45:33):
Aaron learned about the Nationof Gods and Earths, a movement
influenced by Islam, throughhip-hop culture.
While in prison, he alsoexpressed an interest in
Christianity, telling fellowprisoners that, quote we all
have Jesus Christinside of us.
End quote.
On April 21st 2017, the judgeordered all evidence be
(45:59):
preserved in Aaron Hernandez'ssuicide the same day,
investigative reporter MichelleMcPhee wrote a story claiming
that multiple people close toAaron were on the record, saying
that Aaron was gay.
The idea gained more tractionwhen reports surfaced that Aaron
had had an affair with ateammate named Dennis Sansui in
(46:24):
high school and had even comeout to his family.
On April 24th, the courtallowed Aaron Hernandez's family
to see the alleged suicidenotes, including the one he left
for his fiancee, shana Jenkins.
The following day, on April25th, aaron's lawyers filed a
(46:45):
motion with the MassachusettsSuperior Court in Fall River to
vacate his murder conviction.
Jose Baez reprinted contents ofthe notes in his 2018 book
Unnecessary Roughness.
One short letter was addressedto Baez, thanking him for
(47:07):
securing the acquittal in thedouble homicide and anticipating
an appeal in the Odin-Lloydcase.
And anticipating an appeal inthe Odin-Lloyd case.
In addition, aaron asked Baezto pass along thanks to specific
musicians whose songs he foundinspiring.
The other two notes wereaddressed
to Aaron's fiancée and daughter.
(47:27):
Aaron's letter to Shanna saidquote unquote which prosecutors
in the Odin-Lloyd case believedwas a reference to the abatement
of Benicio, the legal doctrinethat vacates convictions if the
defendant dies before theirappeals are exhausted.
In contrast to thestraightforward letter to Baez,
(47:48):
the lawyer described the othernotes as written in a disjointed
and markedly ominous tone.
The Boston Globe described theletter to his daughter as quote
strange, rambling, mystical andtender end quote.
In these notes, aaron describedentering a quote timeless realm
(48:10):
end quote and announced that hewould
see his family in heaven.
Prison officials had notobserved any signs that Aaron
was at risk for suicide, so hehad not been put on an around
the clock watch.
Upon completion of the autopsyby the medical examiner, the
(48:31):
death was officially ruled asuicide by hanging CTE, a
(48:58):
progressive degenerative diseasefound in people who have had a
severe blow or repeated blows tothe head, including football
players.
Baez quickly disputed any claimof suicide and stated that he
would initiate his owninvestigation of the death.
However, in 2018, baez wrotethat he was initially suspicious
of the suicide finding, giventhat Aaron's optimistic demeanor
after the acquittal in thedouble homicide, but he later
(49:23):
came to believe Aaron had takenhis own life, with CTE being a
major contributing factor.
After his brain was removed,aaron's body was cremated and
his asheswere given to his family.
On May 9, 2017, judge Garshvacated Aaron Hernandez's
(49:44):
conviction in the murder of OdinL Lloyd.
Odin L Lloyd, following thestate's legal precedent that
reverses convictions if adefendant dies before all appeal
possibilities are exhausted.
The Lloyd family wasdisappointed with the ruling,
but their attorney did notbelieve it would affect the
wrongful death civil suit thatthe family had filed.
(50:07):
Odin Lloyd's mother, ursulaWard, fought back against the
ruling, saying Aaron wouldalways be guilty in the eyes of
her family.
Ursula said, quote in our bookhe's guilty and he's going to
always be guilty, but I know, Iknow one day I'm going to see my
(50:28):
son and that's the victory thatI have and I am going to take
with me.
I am waiting for my master tosay well done my good and
faithful servant and welcome tothe joys of my kingdom, and
that's when I'll see my babyagain.
I am not giving up.
(50:48):
When God says the battle isover, the battle is over.
So I'm holding on until hetells me to give up.
End quote.
On September 21st 2017, bostonUniversity's Center for Chronic
Traumatic Encephalopathyannounced that the study of
Aaron's brain indicated a level3 CTE, one step short of the
(51:14):
most severe level.
The Massachusetts SupremeJudicial Court heard the appeal
in November 2018, a year afterAaron's death.
The attorney representing theLloyd family, thomas M Quinn III
, argued that Aaron wasrightfully convicted of Odin's
(51:34):
murder and that the convictionwas unfairly wiped out.
Quinn also argued that Aaronkilled himself, knowing the
technicality that would get hisconviction thrown out, and that,
quote, he should not be able toaccomplish in death what he
never would have been able todo in life.
(51:54):
End quote.
In March of 2018, alyssaAnderson told producers of
Oxygen's Aaron HernandezUncovered that she and Aaron
developed a quote really, reallystrong relationship and quote
while they were attending theUniversity of Florida.
Though they decided to break upwhen he was drafted by the New
(52:17):
England Patriots in 2010, thetwo remained on good terms.
Alyssa even reached out toAaron when she heard he had been
arrested in connection with theshooting of Odin Lloyd.
Alyssa said quote when Ioriginally heard Aaron got in
trouble, I wrote him a letter.
That started kind of a back andforth for the next couple of
(52:40):
years.
End quote.
During her interview with AaronHernandez Uncovered, she claims
the letters became morerevealing as his legal troubles
mounted.
Quote towards the end of hisfirst trial into the second
trial.
The letters became more intense.
He did open up about some ofthe struggles he had gone
(53:01):
through as a kid.
He admitted to being molestedas a kid, but he never dealt
with it and it led to issues inhis sexuality end quote.
In one of his letters, alyssasaid that Aaron admitted to
being in a relationship with anunidentified man Quote back in
college there was text messagesI saw on his phone when he came
(53:24):
back from a trip in Connecticutthat was from a male that didn't
have a name.
It didn't really say too much,but it was a relationship with
somebody and when I questionedhim about it he always denied it
.
And then in one of the lettershe opened up about it and he did
(53:44):
admit it End quote.
In an image of the letterthat's been released, it says in
part A March 13, 2019,massachusetts Supreme Judicial
(54:05):
Court reinstated the lateAaron Hernandez's first-degree
murder conviction.
The late Aaron Hernandez'sfirst-degree murder conviction.
The state's legal precedentvacates convictions if a
defendant dies before all appealpossibilities are exhausted,
which returned Aaron's case toits pretrial status.
In their ruling, the court alsoofficially ended the practice
(54:28):
of abatement ab initio, rulingthat it was outdated, never made
sense and was quote no longerconsonant with the circumstances
of contemporary life, if infact it ever was.
End quote.
After the ruling, aaron'sestate vowed
(54:48):
to appeal the ruling further.
In January 2020, netflixreleased a docuseries called
Killer Inside the Mind of AaronHernandez that chronicles
Aaron's life and career, as wellas his crimes and his death.
It also probes into both hissexuality and the post-mortem
(55:09):
diagnosis of chronic CTE.
There is sufficient reason tobelieve that CTE played a
significant role in why AaronHernandez murdered Odin Lloyd
and why he may have committedother acts of seemingly
inexplicable violence.
Dr Anne McKee, aneuropathologist who specializes
(55:31):
in CTE at Boston University,studied Aaron's brain after his
death and found it so plagued byCTE that she was shocked.
The brain she was examining wasany
younger than 46 years old.
What is ultimately to blame forAaron Hernandez's short,
violent life is still somethingof a mystery.
(55:53):
The toxic mix of brain damagesuffered on the field, childhood
trauma and shame about hishomosexuality likely all played
a role in shaping his tragicfate.
Despite the outcome of thetrial, questions still linger
about Aaron's past and what ledhim down such a destructive path
(56:15):
.
Some suggest that the trauma heexperienced as a child,
including the loss of his fatherat a young age, may have played
a role.
Others point to the potentialimpact that his NFL career had
on his mental health, includingthe frequent head injuries he
sustained while playing.
Regardless of the reasons,aaron's tragic end serves as a
(56:40):
stark reminder of the dangers ofunbridled ambition and the
importance of seeking help whenfaced with mental health
struggles.
His story should inspire us allto prioritize self-care and
seek assistance when we need itmost.
And that concludes our case onAaron Hernandez and his crimes.
(57:00):
Throughout this journey, wehave explored the dark and
complex world surrounding theformer NFL player, shedding
light on events that foreverchanged the lives of those
involved.
As we reflect on the story ofAaron Hernandez, it becomes
clear that there are no simpleanswers or straightforward
(57:22):
explanations.
The case serves as a starkreminder of the complexities of
human nature, the consequencesof our choices and the
far-reaching impact of violence.
We have examined theinvestigations, trials and
aftermath, seeking to understandthe motivations and
(57:42):
circumstances that led to theseheinous acts.
But beyond the courtroom drama,we have also explored the
broader societal issuessurrounding this case, such as
the pressures of fame, theinfluence of professional sports
and the impact of personalstruggles on mental health.
In sharing this story, we hopeto foster a deeper understanding
(58:05):
of the factors contributing tosuch tragic events, to such
tragic events.
Examining Aaron Hernandez'scase reminds us of the
importance of compassion,empathy and early intervention
in addressing the underlyingissues that can lead individuals
down a destructive path.
I extend my deepest sympathiesto the victims and their
(58:27):
families, who have enduredunimaginable pain and loss.
My thoughts are also with thosewho have been affected by
similar acts of violence as westrive to create a
safer and more compassionatesociety.
Thank you for joining me onthis gripping and
thought-provoking journey.
Remember, if you or someone youknow is struggling and having
(58:51):
suicidal thoughts, help isavailable.
You can call or text 988 tospeak with someone.
If you enjoy the podcast,please share it with your family
and friends and be sure tosubscribe and follow.
You can find Crime Connoisseurswherever you listen to your
(59:12):
podcasts and on Instagram atCrime Connoisseurs.
In the meantime, keep it classy, connoisseurs, and I'll catch
you on the next case.
Thank you you.
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