Aaron Hernandez is accused of committing three murders, and needs lawyers now more than ever. But Hernandez’s legal team could be on its way out the door if the former New England Patriots star can’t come up with some cash.
Boston lawyers Charles Rankin and James Sultan, who along with a third attorney have been leading Hernandez’s defense since he was jailed last June on murder charges, have filed documents with the court saying that their representation of Hernandez was “limited to arraignment only and related proceedings,” according to FOX Sports.
Hernandez was arraigned Wednesday on charges of his involvement with a July 2012 double murder in Boston.
Hernandez doesn’t have much cash on hand to pay the lawyers in part because of the $12.5 million bonus from the Patriots that is in dispute, and the fact that his $1.3 million North Attleboro home is the subject of a restraining order. The restraining order states that  Hernandez can’t use or sell the house for any reason other than paying a future judgment in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of one of the men he is accused of killing.
“The defendant is in the process of seeking to make financial arrangements to retain counsel” in the Boston case, Rankin and Sultan wrote in their notice to the court. The third lawyer, Michael Fee, hasn’t filed any documents with the court saying his legal representation of Hernandez is in jeopardy.
Hernandez was given 60 days to make such arrangements.
Hernandez faces criminal charges in two separate cases, and has pleaded not guilty in both.
