FALL RIVER, Mass. — The murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez began Friday, with the judge telling the first batch of prospective jurors that they still could be chosen to sit on the panel even if they had heard about the high-profile case.
Hundreds of jurors were expected to file through the halls of the Fall River Justice Center on the first day of the selection process.
Hernandez, 25, is charged with killing Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old semiprofessional football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée. At the time of the killing June 17, 2013, Hernandez had a $40 million contract with the Patriots.
The court was strictly enforcing a special rule imposed by the judge for the duration of the trial, which bans from the courthouse logos for the Patriots, NFL or any football-related insignia, or words or photographs relating to the case. One man wearing a Boston Bruins hockey jersey and waiting in a security line near potential jurors yelled out, “Go Pats!” and was kicked out of the courthouse.
The court planned to bring in prospective jurors in three groups of 125 per day Friday, Monday and Tuesday to fill out questionnaires. More than 1,000 people are expected to report as prosecutors and defense lawyers haggle over whom to seat on the jury.
During the first court session Friday, Hernandez greeted the jurors with “good morning” when he was introduced to them by Bristol County Superior Judge Susan Garsh, then sat impassively and looked around the room as Garsh described the charges against him.
“I want to stress that the charges in the indictment are merely allegations — claims if you will,” Garsh said. The indictment, she said, “is not evidence of anything.”
Acting district attorney Thomas Quinn made a short statement to media outside court but would not answer questions.
“We look forward to a jury being selected that is fair and impartial to both sides,” he said.
Hernandez’s lawyers would not comment as they brought in several items, including a mini refrigerator, coffeemaker, Ritz crackers and coat hangers.
The trial, which is expected to last six to 10 weeks, will not be the end of Hernandez’s legal troubles. He faces separate murder charges in Boston, where he is accused of killing two men after one of them accidentally spilled a drink on him at a nightclub in 2012. The trial date has not yet been set.
Starting next Thursday, jurors will be told whether to report for the second phase of the trial, Garsh said. The judge then will conduct individual questioning of jurors. Eighteen jurors will be selected. The entire process is expected to last through next week, if not longer.
Thumbnail photo via Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
