The arrest, trial and conviction on first-degree murder charges of Aaron Hernandez brought a lot of facts about the one-time NFL star and former University of Florida standout to light. Hernandez was convicted for the murder of Odin Lloyd today, and soon after was sentenced to life without parole in Fall River, Mass.
»Reaction to Aaron Hernandez's conviction
Here are five facts that came up following Hernandez’ arrest:
1. A man says he was shot by Hernandez in Riviera Beach, Fla.:
Alexander Bradley, who said he was shot by Hernandez outside Riviera Beach, was called to testify during the trial. Bradley was shot on Feb. 13, 2013 and left in an industrial park. He didn't cooperate with the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office detectives, and the case was dropped, but Bradley would later file a federal lawsuit that claimed Hernandez shot him, causing him to lose his right eye.
During the trial, Bradley testified about being Hernandez’ friend and pot dealer, though he wasn’t permitted to discuss the Riviera Beach shooting.
2. Guns bought in Belle Glade played a role:
Oscar Hernandez Jr., a Belle Glade, Florida, man who is not related to Aaron Hernandez, admitted to shipping guns inside a car from Palm Beach County to Massachusetts. Those guns were later discovered during the investigation into the shooting of Lloyd.
Prosecutors said Aaron Hernandez sent $15,000 to Oscar Hernandez before the guns ended up in Massachusetts.
None of the weapons were used in the murder of Lloyd.
3. Hernandez smoked an ounce of marijuana per day:
During the trial, it was revealed that Hernandez "chain smoked" marijuana — a fact made more head-scratching when one considers that he never failed an NFL drug test, according to a Boston Globe story in 2013. Globe staff writer Ben Volin added that Hernandez did fail a handful of drug tests while enrolled at the University of Florida, however, in his story.
Bradley brought up the claim at the trial, according to Yahoo Sports, while similar claims were made by Hernandez' fiancee.
4. He’s a person of interest in a 2007 shooting in Gainesville, Florida:
According to the Orlando Sentinel (via The Sporting News), Hernandez was considered "someone investigators are 'interesting in talking to'" for an unsolved shooting in Gainesville in 2007. According to TSN, Hernandez was one of several UF players at a nightclub when an altercation took place. Later that night, two men were shot at a stop light, and a man fitting Hernandez's description was described as being involved.
5. Hernandez has yet to stand trial for two more homicides in 2012:
Hernandez was indicted in the deaths of Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu in the South End of Boston in July 2012. According to The Sporting News, the trial for those two deaths has ibeen indefinitely delayed.
About the Author
