Aaron Hernandez Trial Continues As Evidence Gets Tossed

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

A trial is in its third day in Massachusetts where attorneys for former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez are looking to throw out as much evidence as they can get judge Susan Garsh to dispose of before any kind of a trial can commence in earnest.

Judge Garsh did throw out evidence found at a so-called "flophouse" that Hernandez rented. That evidence included ammunition that the prosecution feels may have been related to the murder of Hernandez acquaintance Odin Lloyd. A cell phone and a home survelliance system that were also gathered by Massachusetts police are still in evidence and were not disqualified.

Here's the latest out of Fall River
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

The trial continues Friday.

NFL Admits Refs Erred on Penalty for Prayer

The NFL admits that the referees in Monday nights Kansas City vs. New England game made a mistake when they penalized Chiefs DB Husain Abdullah for praying after he scored a TD on an interception return.

Abdullah and the Chiefs were penalized 15-yards for an unsportsman like conduct penalty after he slid to his knees and bowed down in the end zone for a brief Muslim prayer.

The NFL rulebook says "Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground".

But the league also said that rule should not apply to expressions of religious freedom.

The call did not have any affect on the game, the Chiefs obliterated the hapless Patriots 41-14 in Kansas City.

Our pals at the 4-letter won't embed the highlights, so we had to search for video of said celebration. It's vertical video, but video never the less...

Civil Suit Filed Against Aaron Hernandez- Kraft Family And Patriots Named As Well...

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

And all of this has to do with the 2012 double murder Hernandez is accused in recently...

A civil wrongful death lawsuit against Hernandez was filed on behalf of Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado. Lawyers for the two families are looking to stop the New England Patriots from handing over the signing bonus that the NFLPA is looking to get for him as part of his last contract that he signed. The lawyers are also looking to freeze any assets left from the sale of Hernandez's $5 million suburban Boston home.

The lawyers for Abreu and Furtado want that money for their clients.

Here's the idea from the Hernandez camp
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

In another move, Hernandez's lawyers are looking to have their client moved to a jail closer to the city of Boston- since they have offices there and Hernandez also feel that their client's life is in danger.

From the motion:

"Surely there is now a reason to be seriously concerned about Hernandez's personal safety while housed at the Bristol County HOC and to question the ability of that facility's staff to treat Hernandez fairly and professionally while he is subject to their total control."

Hernandez Pleads Not Guilty In 2012 Drive-By Murders

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

In a session that lasted 20 minutes, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez pleaded not guilty to all charges in front of a crowded court room that included family members of Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado.

Prosecutors allege that Aaron Hernandez killed the two in a drive-by shooting in 2012. The Suffolk County District Attorney alleges that Hernandez was getting more and more sensitive to people "testing or disrespecting him."

He rolled down the window of his SUV and allegedly told a friend in his SUV:
"I think I got one in the head and one in the chest."

Prosecutors then allege that Hernandez drove the SUV to his cousin's house in Connecticut and left it there. Hernandez attorney Charles Rankin claimed in open court that the state was poisoning the possible jury pool with the proceedings and a "one-sided grand jury proceeding."

Hernandez is still held without bail and will have his next appearance on June 24th.
Here's WHDH-TV's first-half of the noon newscast previewing what was going to happen in court
7News Boston WHDH-TV

All over the paranoia associated with a spilled drink at a Boston-area nightclub

Developing Story: Aaron Hernandez Indicted for July 2012 Double Murder

((ht: myfoxboston.com))

Details are still coming in, but it appears the lawyers for former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez are going to be really busy the next couple of years.

Fox 25 TV in Boston reports the Suffolk County (MA) Grand Jury has indicted Hernandez for a double homicide that took place in the Boston area back in July of 2012. The drive-by shooting killed Daniel Abreu and Safiro Hurtado. It should also be noted just 6 weeks after that incident, Hernandez signed a $40 million contract extension with the Patriots. And played that season.

Court documents list Hernandez as the shooter and he will be arraigned at a later date. The families of Abreu and Hurtado have filed wrongful death civil suits against Hernandez.

Ted Daniel talks about the civil suits the day after Hernandez got into his jailhouse fight that, eventually, added more charges to his time in jail.
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

You'll recall Hernandez initially was arrested in connection with the death of Odin Lloyd in June of 2013. He's facing 1st degree murder charges for Lloyd's death.

The DA is slated to hold a press conference at 11:30 Thursday morning to talk about the case and we will update the story at that time.

UPDATE---Along with the Homicide charges, Hernandez faces several other related charges as another passenger in the car Abreu and Hurtado was injured in the drive-by-shooting.

In addition, Hernandez's cousin Tonya Singleton was indicted for obstructing justice as the vehicle Hernandez allegedly drove to commit the shooting was found at her home.

During the presser, investigators mentioned they believe Mr. Hernandez followed the victims after a chance encounter at an area club late that fateful night. They believe Hernandez drove up to the vehicle occupied by them and shot multiple times with a .38 caliber handgun.

Daniel Conley, the Suffolk County DA also added that he is being very careful not to step into the other case pending against Mr. Hernandez. It's believed that should he go to trial for this crime, that trial would not take place until the case of Mr. Lloyd's homicide is heard in court.

Hernandez will be arraigned next week in Suffolk County Court.

 

Sad Day In Boston Hits Close To Tom Brady

((HT: WEEI Radio Boston))

The Pats QB has a loft near the location of the Back Bay fire in Boston yesterday...

He was in a position to see what was going on up close and was just as shaken up as the rest of the city...

Here's Brady's interview with Dennis and Callahan and his comments were spot on and poignant...
"

Props to Captain America for his words on a tough day...

TMZ: Hernandez Gets Into Fight In Jail

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

And so it goes... without a whole lot of surprise...

Violence begets more violence and history repeats itself... et cetera, et cetera, et cetera...

According to TMZ Sports, Aaron Hernandez got into a fight with another inmate at the Bristol County Jail. Apparently, the gentleman at the end of Hernandez's beating had been jaw-jacking him all day. And, as it happens, the inmate and Hernandez got to cross paths in a hallway.

Normally, the former Patriots tight end is away from the rest of the jail population. But not in this case...

The HQ is shocked...
Here's the latest on the incident that the jail, as of yet, hasn't confirmed...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

SMH: Hulk Hogan With Bizarre Promo Supporting New England Patriots

((ht: sportsgrid.com))

Huh?

There was a time, a decade or 3 ago, where pro wrestler Hulk Hogan was cool, relevant and sometimes kind of interesting when he would cut a promo.

Then there's this.

Mind you, we don't hate on old professional wrestlers, Ric Flair cutting a promo to pump on the San Francisco 49ers last week was great.

But the Hulkster, well, he's kind of devolved into a bit of a parody of his former self.

Check out this 2 minute or so promo he cuts for the New England Patriots. No, it probably won't make you hate either the Hulkster, or the Patriots (ok, maybe the Patriots), but will leave you shaking your head and asking: "What the heck did he just say?"

Search Warrant Tells Hernandez Involvement In 2012 Double Murder

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

According to a recently released search warrant, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez became a suspect in a June 2012 double murder in Boston just after the Odin Lloyd murder.

North Attleboro (MA) police received a tip from an employee at the Rumor Night Club in Boston.

Rumor is where investigators say Hernandez and Lloyd argued before Lloyd was eventually murdered a few days later. The employee told detectives that a patron "accidentally spilled the beans" in front of him about something Hernandez did.

Then, a Boston Police detective remembered seeing Hernandez on surveillance footage taken at the Cure Lounge on the same night of the double murder of Safiro Furtado and Daniel Abreu. Apparently, there is now video of a Toyota SUV circling the lounge waiting for a car that contained the two just before they were the victim of a drive-by down the block.

Alexander Bradley was supposedly with Hernandez that night as well. Bradley would be later shot in the eye and blames Hernandez for it. Hernandez was allegedly driving a car and shot Bradley while he was sitting in the passenger's seat. Bradley couldn't initially tell why Hernandez was waving a gun around in a car talking to Bradley, but it ended up in gunfire...

Here's Ted Daniel's latest in his bulldogging of the case...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

While You Were Celebrating: Texans Hire Bill O'Brien

There's a really good chance, unless you stayed home Tuesday night you missed the revelation that the Houston Texans have hired a new coach.

That coach, Bill O'Brien, now formerly of Penn State and previous to that, 5-years as a disciple of the Belichick, in the New England Patriots system.

O'Brien became THE hot coaching commodity after steering Penn State to a 15-9 record over the past 2-years despite a loss of scholarships and the general craziness surrounding the school in the fallout after the Jerry Sanduksy scandal.

The Texans, with 2-hours to spare in 2013, secured their immediate future in 2014, as O'Brien will become their 3rd head coach ever.

Read more about the hire from Chron.com RIGHT HERE

O'Brien does not have a lengthy background as a head coach. His 5-years in the NFL were as an assistant and the Penn State job was his first leading a team. The consensus by most was that he'd be ready for the task and with Houston, he inherits a team that has the coming years #1 draft pick. The Texans were expected to be a playoff and possibly a Super Bowl contender, but the season was a complete and total failure which led to the dismissal of Gary Kubiak. In addition, he goes to a franchise considered one of the best run in the league.

The team is expected to make a formal announcement of the hire by Friday.

Odin Lloyd Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Vs. Hernandez

((HT: Fall River Herald News/Fraga))

Surprising no one really...

Odin Lloyd's family has filed a wrongful death suit against former new England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez...

They're also asking a judge for a restraining orders that would keep the Patriots from paying out Hernandez's contract and allowing for a "real estate attachment" on his suburban Boston home so it could still be considered an asset in determining his worth in a civil case disbursement...

There is no value floating around as to the worth of the civil suit and the attorney representing the Lloyds will be in court Thursday to argue their case.

Dolphins center Mike Pouncey was interviewed by a grand jury last week to discuss his relationship with Hernandez that goes back to their time at the University of Florida. Pouncey was served that subpoena to appear October 27th after a Patriots-Dolphins game in the tunnel after the game finished. Police believed at the time that Pouncey is a "material witness" who could "advance their case" against Hernandez.

They plan on working the angle surrounding interstate gun trafficking and Hernandez's possible involvement in it as part of his off-field behavior...

Here's the recap of the Pouncey grand jury visit...
((HT:MyFoxBoston))
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Ooops: Dolphins FG Holder Catches Ball With Face

When good things go bad---

You may…or may not have already seen this, but it's pretty funny.

Check out what happened to poor Brandon Fields of the Miami Dolphins earlier this afternoon. Fields, who hold for field goal kicker Caleb Sturgis had his viral video moment of infamy happen today.

He was getting ready to call for the snap on a Sturgis field goal attempt, and looked away. Right about the time the ball was snapped.

No, it's not nearly as embarrassing as the Mark Sanchez butt fumble, but it's pretty funny never the less.

We suspect the fact the Dolphins won the game over the New England Patriots 24-20 will soften the blow a bit. The win, moves Miami to 8-6 on the year and moves them ever so close to a playoff berth.

Here's your video: (hopefully it won't get pulled)

Mike Pouncey Served Subpoena In Hernandez Investigation

((HT: ESPN))

This was not how Dolphins center Mike Pouncey envisioned his trip to Foxborough...

About an hour after the game with the Patriots, he was served with a subpoena to appear in front of a grand jury related to his involvement with Aaron Hernandez and his possible dealings with interstate gun trafficking...

Lester Munson discusses...


Remember the Pouncey brothers were the ones who wore "Free Hernandez" hats in the off-season and were snapped in a photo wearing them.

Maurkice apologized.
Mike did not...

Greg Bedard of SI.com discusses Pouncey's possible issues on the "Joe Rose Show" on WQAM-AM Radio

NFLPA Files Salary Grievance For Hernandez

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

Not that this is a surprise or anything, but the NFLPA is keeping an eye on the dollars that they feel, legally or otherwise, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez may or may not be due...

They're looking after the 2013 base salary ($1.323 million), the 2014 salary ($1.137 million) and the workout bonus ($500,000), which had guarantee language as a part of the contract with New England.

Totalling: $2.96-million

But the HQ thinks that there's something along the lines of the morals clause where the Pats will challenge the idea- backwards, forward, and upside down until further notice...

MyFoxBoston has also found out the identity of the main guy that Hernandez has been in touch with over the phone from jail... another old high school friend, Ryan McDonnell...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Captain America Saves The Day Again...Pats Radio Explodes...

((HT: NFL on FOX))

All the Patriots had to do was go 70 yards in 63 seconds for the lead and, eventually, the win...


But the call of the day doesn't go to Thom Brennaman...
It goes to Bob Socci and Scott Zolak on Patriots radio... Zolak evoked memories of everything from Chris Kluwe and Clara Peller...

Listen to the call here...

Oh, Clara Peller...???


Now do you remember...???

But it will be an interesting week to see how the Pats deal with the losses of Aqib Talib and Danny Amendola...

Aaron Hernandez Returns To Court

The long and winding road preceding the eventual trial of former New England Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez continued Wednesday afternoon with a pre-trial hearing.

For those who don't know: A pre-trial hearing is essentially where the judge  (in this case Judge Susan Garsh) reads the list of charges and potential sentences for said charges.

She then asks if the defendant understands said charges (all of them).

The process essentially is to make sure everyone is on the same page and ready to move forward towards an eventual trial date.

Here are the new things that came out of today's hearing:

1) Mr. Hernandez's attorney's asked for a recusal of Judge Garsh. This was apparently not unexpected. According to an article in Pro Football Talk, the parties have a bit of a rocky history. And the move does not come without risk

You can read about that RIGHT HERE

The motion to recuse (change judges), will be heard on October 21st.

2) A date was set for discovery. What that means is both the prosecution and defense have to share the evidence collected to that point. It's a procedural matter.

That hearing will take place in December.

In summary: This was a procedural hearing. Nothing earth shaking here other than the issue with the judge. It may be a move to buy time, it may be a move to set up a potential appeal. We won't know until we get to trial.

Don't expect said trial to happen until Spring of next year. At the earliest.

Here's the latest from MyFoxBoston
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Prosecutors: Carlos Ortiz Changes Testimony In Hernandez Case

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

And is now making it extremely interesting... and, maybe, extremely difficult to make a clean conviction...

The words "reasonable doubt" are now in play...

During the Ernest Wallace bail hearing, it was made clear that alleged Aaron Hernandez co-conspirator Carlos Ortiz is now saying that only Hernandez exited the car at the scene of Odin Lloyd's murder. Originally, Ortiz said both Hernandez and Wallace exited the car.

Prosecutors claimed Wallace told Hernandez's cousin, Tanya Singleton, about the Lloyd murder, and Singleton was jailed for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating Odin Lloyd's murder. Investigators also allege a portion of a text message between Hernandez and Lloyd took place on Wallace's phone.

Wallace's attorneys maintained that their client should have had a bail lower than $500,000 because he was charged with accessory and not an actual murder charge. The judge ruled Wallace should continue to be held on $500,000 bail.

Here's the latest in Fall River...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Brad Nessler Had To Go...

((HT: Awful Announcing))

The Number One By-Law The HQ has always adhered to in the television bid-ness is "Always Act Like Your Mic Is Hot..."

We learned at an early age that you never cuss and you never say anything you don't want to go over the air in a normal circumstance until you're off the air entirely...

A dude we really admire in the booth, Brad Nessler, fell victim to the hot mic last night before the Pats-Jets game...


But when you gotta go, you gotta go... and that will never change...

Aaron Hernandez Pleads "Not Guilty"

No, really there is not anyone who is surprised that former New England Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez pleased "not guilty" to first degree murder charges Friday afternoon in a Fall River, Massachusetts courtroom.

In fact he pled "not guilty" to all 6 charges he is facing.

But that doesn't change the fact he's being held in jail, without bail, charged in the death of 27-year old Odin Lloyd.

Aside from all of this, there really isn't much in the way of "new" information here. Only that Hernandez will again be in front of a judge Oct. 9th and his defense attorney along with prosecutors continue the arduous task of preparing for a trial--though a date for that has not been set.

A bigger concern may be that evidence is beginning to mount in a 2012 double homicide in the Boston area that Hernandez has been linked to. Some circumstantial evidence tying him to the killings has started to surface. If the connection is made, well, we wouldn't want to speculate at the attention that story would get.

Here's coverage from our friends at MyFoxBoston
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Hartford Courant: Hernandez On Video With 2012 Victims

((HT: Hartford Courant/Wilson))

Just when you thought you hadn't heard enough of the Aaron Hernandez case...

We now have this...

According to the Courant's Jenny Wilson, Hernandez was in the same place as two victims the night they were shot back in July of 2012. Sources tell Wilson that authorities have surveillance video showing Hernandez in the same nightclub as Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado before they were killed on Boston streets in an early morning drive-by.

Police had been looking for an SUV with Rhode Island license plates connected with the shooting.

Eventually, police found an SUV with Rhode Island plates at Aaron Hernandez's uncle's house in Bristol, Connecticut as part of the Odin Lloyd murder investigation. The car had been parked in a garage for about a year.

Hernandez has not been charged in connection with the Abreu/Furtado murders, but he will be back in court Friday in relation to the Lloyd case.

Here was the development at the time of the tow...
((HT: MyFoxBoston))
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston