Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez will be moving to a jail closer to Boston, a judge ruled Monday.
Hernandez’s legal team recently proposed the move while he awaits his trials, arguing that his personal safety was at risk and he should be closer to his lawyers. Hernandez has been held at the Bristol County jail in Dartmouth since his original arrest on June 26, 2013 in the slaying of former semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd.
He has since been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in a drive-by shooting that took place in Suffolk County in 2012. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the two counties.
Judge E. Susan Garsh, who is presiding over the Lloyd case, granted the request Monday after the prosecution made no move to oppose the ruling, and although it was not made clear when the switch will be made, Hernandez will be transferred to the Suffolk County Jail.
The trial for the Lloyd case is tentatively set to begin Oct. 6, but Garsh said that a Jan. 1 trial date seems more realistic, according to the Boston Globe.
