Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez has been granted a six-month trial delay on the double-murder charges he faces stemming from a 2012 drive-by shooting outside a downtown Boston nightclub.
The former New England Patriots star tight end is charged in the fatal shootings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, which prosecutors charge were sparked after one of the victims accidentally spilled a drink on Hernandez inside the club and failed to apologize.
During Tuesday’s morning court appearance, Hernandez’s attorneys cited yet another pending murder trail he faces as reasonable cause for a delay in his second trial. Hernandez is also charged with first-degree murder and being the trigger-man in the June 2013 killing of one-time associate Odin Lloyd.
Lloyd’s bullet-riddled body was found less than a mile from Hernandez’s North Attleborough mansion and authorities have since speculated he may have been killed because of his knowledge about Hernandez allegedly being involved in a number of other violent crimes.
According to ESPN, the judge agreed to delay the double-murder trial until it becomes clearer how long things might take in the Lloyd proceedings. Jury selection in that case is set to begin Jan. 5.
The Patriots immediately severed all ties with Hernandez after he was formally charged in the Lloyd case, even though just weeks before the team had signed him to a five-year, $40 million extension. Hernandez has been jailed without bail since June of last year on charges related to the Lloyd slaying.
The 25-year-old Hernandez has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Since being jailed he has also been criminally charged with violently attacking and beating another inmate while the man was handcuffed.
Hernandez spent all three of his NFL seasons with the Patriots, with his best year coming in 2011 when he had 79 catches for 1910 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Thats good news for Aaron! Now his attornies will have more time to twist things around and fabricate stories that could help him walk free. The more time the better! …everyone knows hes guilty and he likely killed more in Florida also! Cheers