Superior Court judge E. Susan Garsh has entered an order preventing all observers from wearing any New England Patriots of NFL gear in the courthouse during Aaron Hernandez’s upcoming murder trial.
The 25-year-old Hernandez is slated to go on trial early next year on first-degree murder charges in the June 2013 execution-styled killing of one-time associate Odin Lloyd. In her order, Garsh added “no person wearing clothing, or a button or other object attached to clothing, or carrying an object that displays any Patriots logo… will be permitted to the Justice Center.”
The former NFL star is accused of gunning down Lloyd less than a mile from his North Attleborough mansion in a dispute authorities have hinted started over Lloyd’s knowledge of other crimes Hernandez is suspected of being involved in.
In addition to the Lloyd case, Hernandez is also charged as the triggerman in a 2012 double-slaying outside a downtown Boston nightclub. Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu were both killed after one of them allegedly spilled a drink on Hernandez while in the club and failed to apologize.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty in both cases and the judge has previously ruled the matter of the double homicide cannot be introduced as evidence during the Lloyd proceedings. Besides being charged as the triggerman in the double slaying, Hernandez also faces charges of three counts of armed assault and one count of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.
Since being incarcerated, Hernandez has also been criminally charged with attacking another prisoner while the man was handcuffed and threatening to have the family of a prison guard murdered.
During a recent hearing, Garsh also dedicated nine courtroom seats to Hernandez’s family or friends and nine to the victim’s family or friends for the Lloyd trial.
Hernandez played three NFL seasons, all with the Patriots. His best season came in 2011 when he had 79 catches for 910 yards and seven touchdowns.
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