Video After The Jump
A Massachusetts jury has found Aaron Hernandez guilty on Wednesday, April 15, of the first-degree murder 27-year old Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player.
The jury deliberated for 36 hours over seven days before reaching a unanimous verdict. Hernandez faces. According to the Associated Press, the first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole and automatically triggers an appeal to Massachusetts' highest court.
Odin Lloyd
The prosecution's case was built mostly on circumstantial evidence. The murder weapon was never found, but by Hernandez's defense team's admission he witnessed the killing. Two other men will stand trial for their part in Lloyd's murder. He was shot six times in the middle of the night on June 17, 2013, in a deserted industrial park near Hernandez's home in North Attleborough.
Hernandez, 25, was an All-Pro tight end for the New England Patriots prior to being arrested for this crime. In August 2012, he signed a $40 million extension with the team. The Patriots organization cut Hernandez when police tied him to Lloyd's murder.
The reason for Lloyd's murder was never made clear. There has been speculation that he may have known too much about a 2012 drive-by homicide Hernandez has been tied to.
Hernandez's mother, Terri, and his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, cried when the verdict was read. Hernandez turned to them and mouthed, "Be strong."
The former NFL player was also convicted of illegal gun possession and illegal ammunition possession.
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