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Crime Connoisseurs
Crime Connoisseurs
From Gridiron Glory to Grim Reality: The Aaron Hernandez Story Part 2
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Embark on an immersive investigation into the dark descent of ex-NFL phenomenon Aaron Hernandez, whose life spiraled into a harrowing saga of murder, trials, and personal demons. In a narrative that's as gripping as any game Hernandez ever played, we piece together the chilling events leading to Odin Lloyd's death, unraveling the potent mix of fame, psychology, and the relentless spotlight that may have driven Hernandez to the edge. As we tread through the crime scene evidence and Hernandez's bewildering behavior post-crime, we also acknowledge the weight of these revelations and offer support for those grappling with similar struggles.
The courtroom became an arena of its own—the stakes, someone's very freedom. Listen intently as we recount the strategic chess match between defense and prosecution in the trial that captivated the nation. From the DNA evidence that cornered Hernandez to the dramatic immunity of Shana Jenkins and the controversial elements that swayed public opinion, this episode doesn't shy away from the intricate details that painted a portrait of justice in the modern era. The narrative culminates in the jury's decision, resonating far beyond the confines of the court with a life sentence that echoed the gravity of Hernandez's downfall.
Our journey doesn't end at the sentencing. Hernandez's story is a cautionary tale that spirals further within the walls of incarceration, where the complexities of identity, mental health, and the specter of CTE cast long shadows over his final days. We explore Hernandez's battle against his inner turmoil, the legal disputes that lingered, and the devastating conclusion to a life marred by violence and loss. This episode is a stark reminder of the depth of human fragility and the urgent need for compassion and understanding in addressing mental health and preventing tragedy. We part with a heartfelt message to anyone facing their own battles and remind you that support is always available.
Source Material: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fTxSs7y4wvKdiQq-b6zKhiFy10N-DKG2x-OQFEnzkj0/edit?usp=sharing
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Welcome back Crime Connoisseurs. I'm your host, grace D. Last week we covered the beginning of Aaron Hernandez's life and his football career. We left off with the murder of Odin Lloyd, so if you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, stop and go, give it a listen. In our previous episode, we delved into the shocking events surrounding the former NFL player's life and the crimes that ultimately led to his downfall. Today we continue our exploration, uncovering new details and shedding light on the complex web of circumstances that surrounded Aaron's troubled existence Aaron's troubled existence.
Speaker 1:In this episode, we will dive even deeper into the investigations, trials and aftermath of the crimes committed by Aaron Hernandez. We'll examine the evidence presented in court, the testimonies of key witnesses and the legal strategies employed by both the prosecution and the defense. As we navigate through the intricacies of the case, we'll strive to understand the motives behind Aaron's actions and their impact on the lives of those involved. But the story goes beyond the courtroom. We'll also explore the psychological and societal factors that may have contributed to his descent into violence, examining the influences of fame, wealth and the pressure of professional sports. So buckle up, ladies and gents, as we embark on this gripping quest of one of the most notorious cases in recent memory. Quest of one of the most notorious cases in recent memory. Please be advised that the content discussed in this episode may be disturbing and sensitive. The topic of suicide will be discussed in this episode. If you or someone you know is struggling and having suicidal thoughts, help is available. You can call or text 988 to speak with someone. Listener, discretion is advised. So On June 17, 2013, the body of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was a linebacker for the Boston Bandits football team, was found shot multiple times in an industrial park near North Attleboro, massachusetts.
Speaker 1:Odin Lloyd was dating Shania Jenkins, the sister of Aaron Hernandez's girlfriend, shiana Jenkins. At the crime scene, detectives found a white towel, a half-smoked blunt, five .45 caliber shell casings, tire tracks and shoe prints On Odin's person. They found his wallet, allowing them to ID him, and two sets of rental car keys. They quickly worked the scene as they learned that rain was about to come in. They quickly worked the scene as they learned that rain was about to come in. They tarped over Odin's body and the evidence that they found and promptly made impressions of the shoe print and the tire tracks before the rain could ruin it. Since the industrial park area where Odin's body was found was near a gold refinery. There were surveillance cameras all over the area, so investigators began reviewing the surveillance videos. The police also ran the car keys found on Odin's person and those corresponded to a car rented by Aaron
Speaker 1:Hernandez. After identifying the keys as belonging to Aaron Hernandez's rental agreement, detective Dan Arrigi and a Massachusetts state trooper drove to Aaron's home about a mile from where Odin Lloyd's body was. They arrived at the home at 9.40 pm and approached his front door. They arrived at the home at 9.40 pm and approached his front door. The officers rang the doorbell at around 9.45, but no answer. Seeing cars parked in the driveway and lights on in the house, the officers peeked into Aaron's windows, then canvassed the perimeter of his house and glanced into the garage, the perimeter of his house and glanced into the garage. Detective Arigi and the state trooper then walked over to a neighbor's home who happened to be New England Patriots assistant coach Joe Judge. Joe attempted to get Aaron's cell phone number for them. The officers then returned to their car and watched for activity inside the
Speaker 1:house. According to Detective Arigi, aaron came out of his house at around 10 30 pm. The two greeted each other in the driveway and shook hands. They began a brief conversation during which Aaron said he had been monitoring the officers through his home surveillance system. According to Detective Arigi, aaron also referred to Odin as quote my boy O end quote during the conversation. As Detective Arigie asked Aaron more and more questions related to Odin, detective Arigie said that Aaron became agitated and angrily walked away. However, aaron agreed to drive over to the North Attleboro Police Station along with his fiancée Cheyenne Jenkins and their baby daughter. After dropping off Aaron at the police station, cheyenne began and their baby daughter, after dropping off Aaron at the police station, cheyenne began to drive home. Detective Arigie and the state trooper followed Cheyenne and pulled her car over at 11 pm even though no traffic violation had occurred. Detective Arigie said that the two wanted to speak with Cheyenne and asked her to return to the police
Speaker 1:station. The next day, the police searched the Hernandez home in connection with an investigation into the shooting death of friend Odin Lloyd, whose body was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the back and chest in an industrial park about a mile from the Hernandez residence. The following day, aaron assured Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft that he had nothing to do with the shooting. Despite this, aaron was banned from Gillette Stadium lest it became the site of a media stakeout. The team also decided that they would sever all ties with Aaron if he were arrested on any charge related to the case. No-transcript Detective Michael Elliott immediately drove to the car rental agency and met with several members of the Massachusetts State Police. The office manager told him that the car had been cleaned and possible evidence discarded into a dumpster. One of the troopers climbed into the container and removed several items a .45 caliber shell casing attached to blue bubble gum, a water bottle and a crumbled up piece of paper. As police combed through surveillance videos, they found footage of Aaron dancing at a gas station as he entered the store. He is then seen purchasing bubblicious cotton candy flavored gum at the gas station convenience store when he drove to Boston on June 16, 2013 to pick up Odin On June 21, 2013, police found surveillance videos placing Aaron and Odin together the night of
Speaker 1:the murder. That same day, aaron made trips to his lawyers and a gas station, and his movements were tracked by media helicopters. Two days later, aaron's home was searched again for four hours. This time, k-9 officers assisted in the search. On June 26th, the infamous image of Aaron Hernandez being walked out of his home in red shorts and a white t-shirt that was placed over him after his hands were cuffed behind him
Speaker 1:took place. Aaron was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, in addition to one count of carrying a firearm without a license, two counts of possessing a large-capacity firearm and two counts of possessing a firearm without a firearm identification card. About 90 minutes later, the Patriots released Aaron from the team before being officially informed of the charges against him. Aaron was held without bail at the Bristol County. Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace were also arrested in connection with Odin Lloyd's death. Carlos Ortiz told police that Aaron secretly rented an apartment in Franklin, massachusetts. The Associated Press reported a subsequent search of the apartment. That quote turned up ammunition and clothing that police believe could be evidence in the murder case against him. End quote. Carlos was held on a $500,000 bail After his arrest for the murder of Odin Lloyd. Bill Belichick prohibited Aaron's name from being spoken in the locker room. Rob Gronkowski repeatedly declined to answer any questions about Aaron in interviews and he nearly walked out during a CBS interview in 2013 until the reporter agreed to change the subject away from his
Speaker 1:former teammate. On June 28th, the police recovered the silver Chrysler that they believed Aaron Odin and the two other men were in the night of Odin's murder. On July 3rd, the Gainesville police released a 51-page report on the 2007 double shooting in which Aaron Hernandez was questioned. It's believed that an argument about a gold necklace may have sparked that shooting. On July 9th, text messages between Aaron and Odin on the night of the murder surfaced in documents unsealed by law enforcement. A grand jury in Suffolk County, massachusetts, then began hearings on July 24th 2013 for the 2012
Speaker 1:double murder. 2013 for the 2012 double murder. The next day, the surveillance videos from Aaron's home were made public for the first time and they appear to show him holding a gun. On July 30, 2013, police divers searched a lake in Bristol, connecticut, for the murder weapon in Odin Lloyd's murder, but found nothing. On August 19, 2013, police in Springfield, massachusetts, found the gun used in the 2012 double murder in Boston, but still have been unable to turn up the gun used in Odin Lloyd's murder. Three days later, aaron was indicted by a grand jury for the murder of Odin Lloyd and on September 3rd 2013, aaron's lawyers filed a postponement request in federal court until his murder charges were resolved. Aaron pled
Speaker 1:not guilty. On September 6th, ernest Wallace was charged as an accessory after the fact in Odin Lloyd's murder on September 19th. Then, on September 27th, carlos Ortiz was indicted on a single count of accessory to the murder after the fact in the killing of Odin. In addition, aaron's fiancee, cheyenne Jenkins, and his cousin, tanya Cummings Singleton were also charged as accessories to murder for their suspected involvement in assisting Aaron after the killing of Odin Lloyd. Two months later, on November 27, 2013, aaron pleaded the Fifth Amendment in response to Alexander Bradley's lawsuit. In part one, we covered how Alexander Bradley filed a lawsuit against Aaron Hernandez for shooting him in the head and him going blind in one eye. Odin Lloyd's family filed a wrongful death suit against Aaron Hernandez on December 19, 2013. And about a month later, boston police documents are revealed that connected Aaron to the 2012 double murder for the
Speaker 1:first time. Things are quiet for a couple of months after this, but on April 11th, charges against Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace in Odin Lloyd's death were upgraded to murder. Two weeks after that, on May 1st, aaron was charged with assault in a fight with a fellow jail inmate. Two weeks after that, aaron was then indicted for the murders of Daniel D'Abril and Siferio Furtado in the 2012 double homicide outside of the Cure Nightclub in Boston's South End On May 28th. Aaron pleaded not guilty to the 2012 double murder. Prosecutors claim that the crime stemmed from a spilled drink. Prosecutors claim that the crime stemmed from a spilled drink On June 16, 2014,. A tentative trial date of October 6 was set for the case of Odin Lloyd's killing. Then on June 24, 2014,. The trial date for the 2012 double murders in Boston was set for May
Speaker 1:of 2015. Two months later, bristol County Superior Court Judge E Susan Garsh threw out evidence from two cell phones and three tablets taken from Erin's home during the investigation of Odin's death. She said there were problems with the warrant taken from Aaron's home during the investigation of Odin's death. She said there were problems with the warrant On October 2, 2014,. Judge Garsh threw out several pieces of evidence that the prosecutors conceded were gathered improperly Carlos Ortiz's cell phone, boxes of .45 caliber ammunition and a Glock .45 caliber magazine loaded with ammunition whose brands matched the brands of the ammunition found at the scene of Odin Lloyd's shooting. On October 10, 2014,. Judge Garsh denied a defense motion to exclude Aaron's cell phone as evidence. She said that Aaron's legal team freely and voluntarily gave investigators the phone and then, several weeks later, she also rejected a defense motion for a change of venue. A defense motion for a change of venue On November 25, 2014,. The trial for the 2012 slayings was delayed indefinitely. A couple weeks after that, on December 12, 2014, judge Garsh ruled that prosecutors could not present evidence
Speaker 1:in the 2012 killings. During the trial for Odin Lloyd's murder, it's been reported that Shana Jenkins sought out immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony against Aaron on January 7, 2015. And then two days later, on January 9, aaron's trial for the shooting death of Odin Lloyd began in Fall River, massachusetts. After missing juror delay, aaron's trial for the shooting death of Odin Lloyd opened with murder scene details On January 29, 2015,. The trial began in Fall River Massachusetts with opening statements from prosecuting attorney Patrick Bomberg and defense attorney Michael Fee. Judge E Susan Garsh presided. Patrick Bomberg and defense attorney Michael Fee. Judge E Susan Garsh presided. The trial was expected to take about 10 weeks, but the trial was delayed on a few occasions due to the unprecedented snowfall in greater Boston. In opening statements, prosecutors said that Aaron's DNA was found at the murder scene. On February 10, 2015, judge Garsh approved the prosecution's request to grant immunity to Aaron's fiancée, shana Jenkins, so that she could be called to testify in the
Speaker 1:former Patriots' murder trial. Detective Elliott testified that Aaron voluntarily came to the police station around 11.15 pm on June 18, 2013,. The day after Odin Lloyd's murder. He was placed in an interview room. Detective Elliott also testified that he watched Aaron via surveillance camera At one point. Detective Elliott said that Aaron plugged his cell phone into the wall and laid down on the floor next to the phone charging. Around 2 am on June 19th, detective Elliott watched Aaron leave the police station and meet another man in the parking lot. He trained the surveillance camera outside the building on Aaron when he got into a car. Then Detective Elliott testified that Aaron disassembled his cell phone and made a call on the phone of his lawyer, robert Jones. William M McCulley, the lead prosecutor, said that Aaron placed a call to Wallace. Detective Elliott said that he watched Aaron's movements for about 20 minutes in the parking lot. Prosecutors played a five to eight minute videotape for the jury that recorded his
Speaker 1:activities inside the car. Detective Elliott testified that on June 18th the police executed a search warrant at the Hernandez home to look for guns, clothing, aaron's cell phone and surveillance equipment. He testified that they found .22 caliber bullets in the black lockbox that was left unlocked. During a brief cross-examination, james Sultan questioned Detective Elliott about the surveillance camera in the interview room and outside the police station. Sultan said quote you wanted to see what Aaron was doing, correct End quote? Detective Elliott responded yes. Then Sultan accused the detective of using a camera feature to zoom in on Aaron in the car, which Detective Elliott acknowledged that he had
Speaker 1:done On March 4, 2015,. Prosecutors in the Odin-Lloyd trial tried to introduce the Florida shooting into the case. Although the judge had ruled before the trial began that the case could not be brought up, aaron's lawyers had filed a motion to have it kept out In court. Prosecutors argued that Aaron Hernandez murdered Odin Lloyd after an altercation in a Boston night club on June 14th. However, the reason for the altercation was not clear, with some saying that it was because Odin was talking to people involved in the 2012 shooting and others saying it was because he knew that Aaron was gay and wasn't going to keep his mouth shut. Various pieces of evidence have emerged about Aaron Hernandez's sexuality, but
Speaker 1:that remains relatively murky overall. Detective Arrigi testified to when he and the Massachusetts State Trooper went to the Hernandez residence, looking around the property and looking for Aaron. Aaron's attorney, james Sultan, conducted a very combative cross-examination of Detective Arrigi Riggi. Sultan forced Detective Riggi to acknowledge essential and arguably exonerating details about the circumstances of the visit to the Hernandez home, including Riggi and the state trooper were not wearing police uniforms when they visited the Hernandez residence. Instead, they wore shirts and ties and, although the state trooper's badge and gun were visible on his belt, sultan described the outfits as civilian clothing, whereas Arigi characterized them as business attire. Regardless, sultan suggested that the two cops might not have looked like cops, especially so late at night. The two cops might not have looked like cops,
Speaker 1:especially so late at night. The officers waited in an unmarked Ford Escape. This arguably could have made them seem suspicious to Aaron and his fiancée, particularly given that Aaron used drugs and perhaps interacted with drug dealers. The officers also had no invitation to walk around the perimeter of Aaron's home and they did not have a search warrant. Sultan wanted jurors to conclude that the officers acted more like trespassers rather than officers. It was late at night and unusual, if not altogether inappropriate for the time, of the officers to knock on someone's door. Sultan hoped that the jurors imagined being home and hearing loud knocks on their door at around 10 pm. They may not answer the door and could wonder if the person or persons knocking are a threat. Aaron was under no legal obligation to answer the door. This is an obvious but important point. Citizens have no legal duty to answer their door when there is a ring or a knock. Sultan also chastised Detective Arigi for pulling Shanna over, given that it was 11 pm and that he knew she had a baby in the car and there was no traffic violation. Sultan framed Detective Arigi as an over-aggressive and insensitive person, whereas Detective Arigi insisted he followed
Speaker 1:procedures and was being thorough. On April 9, 2015, a photographer for NBC affiliate WHDH-TV was banned from reporting and taking pictures at the trial as one of their news trucks had followed a jury van the previous day. In closing statements, in light of substantial physical evidence provided by the prosecution, the defense admitted to Aaron being present during the murder, but downplayed his role. The defense said that he was an unwilling participant who, quote, was a 23-year-old kid who witnessed something a shocking killing committed by someone he knew. He really didn't know what to do, so he just put one foot in front of the other. End, quote. On April 15, 2015,. Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of murder in the first degree, a charge that, in Massachusetts, automatically carries a sentence of life in prison without any possibility of parole. He was also found guilty of five firearm charges. A motive for the murder was never definitively established. Police investigated the possibility that Odin may have learned of Aaron's sexuality and that he was worried that Odin
Speaker 1:might out him to others. The Boston Globe described Aaron as being strangely content while in jail. Globe described Aaron as being strangely content while in jail, an attitude that confused his fiance. He told his mother quote I've been the most relaxed and less stressed in jail than I have out of jail end quote. He was, however, punished on multiple occasions for breaking prison rules, including screaming and banging on his cell door. Over his four years behind bars, he increasingly turned to the
Speaker 1:Bible and became more religious. Aaron was not popular with his teammates and had few friends in the locker room. Popular with his teammates and had few friends in the locker room. According to one of his teammates, he seemed to enjoy being an outcast on the team. Tom Brady was overheard after a game telling Tim Tebow that he was trying to steer Aaron in the right direction, but called him a lot to handle. Tebow had previously tried to help Aaron as well and enlisted Brady for the same purpose. Aaron was, however, known as one of
Speaker 1:the team's hardest working members. Acquaintances described Aaron as a follower who put himself in jeopardy by hanging out with a dangerous crowd. As a patriot, he hired two of his friends from Bristol as assistants, both of whom had criminal records. One of them was Alexander Bradley. He was a drug dealer as his assistant. Bradley's other duties included calming Aaron down during fits of rage and paranoia and obtaining weapons and drugs for him. Other patriots said that Aaron often sought attention and seemed unhinged. However, by June 2013, bill Belichick was running out of patience with Aaron and intended to notify the front office to have
Speaker 1:Aaron released from the team. In one of his letters from prison, aaron criticized Robert Kraft as quote fake ass, non-loyal end quote. But he expressed admiration for several other of his teammates. He was the closest to Tom Brady and friendly with Julian Edelman and Deion Branch. He also called Rob Gronkowski quote the best tight end to ever walk on the football field end quote. The Boston Globe said that prison officials quote seemed to turn a blind eye to Hernandez's drug use and neglected to safeguard their famous inmate end quote. A fellow inmate reported multiple instances of Aaron needing medical attention after smoking too much K2, which was rife at the prison at the time, which was rife at the prison at the time. Aaron could speak to Shana on the phone and often did twice a day, but she was facing perjury charges related to his arrest. He only saw his daughter when Shana's mother brought her to visit. While in prison he reconciled with his own mother, from who he had been
Speaker 1:estranged from for many years. While being held at the Bristol County Jail, aaron was kept in a segregated unit, a bleak section that usually housed the mentally ill and violent. He asked to be moved out of segregation, but Sheriff Thomas M Hodgson would not allow it. Aaron believed that Hodgson exploited his incarceration for publicity. After his conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, aaron was transferred to cell 57 of the G2 block at Sousa Barnowski Correctional Center, a maximum security prison where inmates typically spend 20 hours a day in their cells. In his two years here, aaron was disciplined dozens of times. His lawyer claimed that he was taunted relentlessly by guards. His lawyer claimed that he was taunted relentlessly by guards. According to Kiko Thomas, who was serving 17 to 19 years with Aaron on a manslaughter charge. Aaron was quote seen as a fraud by many and a god by some end quote While in prison, aaron continued to work out and
Speaker 1:anticipated returning to the NFL. On May 11, 2015, aaron Hernandez was indicted for witness intimidation for the Alexander Bradley shooting, since Alexander was reportedly a witness to the 2012 Boston double homicide. The intimidation charge for Aaron carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. On May 15th, the district attorney in Suffolk County, massachusetts, said Alexander Bradley was a precipient witness to the double murder in Boston that Aaron was charged with committing in 2012. Three and a half months later, on August 27, 2015, alexander Bradley, a friend and former assistant of Aaron Hernandez, received immunity from prosecutors in connection with a double murder case against him. On December 4th, guards at the Sousa Barnowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, massachusetts, found a shank in Aaron's cell during a search of his prison block. After the incident, he was removed from the general population and put in an isolated unit. In February 2016, aaron settled the lawsuit with Alexander. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed In part one. Alexander had wanted $5 million to keep his silence and Aaron had countered with $1.5 million, and then Alexander Bradley asked for $2.5 million. After that, aaron didn't respond and allowed his attorneys to handle everything, but they were unable to
Speaker 1:make a settlement until now. On May 12, 2016,. Ernest Wallace, friend of Aaron Hernandez, was acquitted of murder in the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, but Wallace was found guilty of being an accessory after the fact to the murder. On June 8, 2016,. Jose Baez yes, that same Jose Baez who represented Casey Anthony in 2011,. He was retained to serve as lead counsel for Aaron
Speaker 1:during his double homicide trial. On December 20, 2016,. Aaron was identified as the trigger man in the 2012 shooting of Daniel DiAbreu and Cefiro Furtado and, due to his 2013 arrest and subsequent conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, massachusetts authorities contacted police in Florida to try to determine whether Aaron was suspected of having a role in the 2007 shooting. Detective Tom Mullins, who was assigned to reinvestigate the shooting, concluded that Aaron was not the trigger man. Although Carson initially identified Aaron as the shooter, other witnesses that night described the shooter as looking like a black male, possibly with cornrows. When Detective Mullins re-interviewed Carson, carson rescinded his statement of the shooter matching Aaron and said he never saw Aaron at the scene but assumed he was the shooter because, quote they had words earlier at the club end quote. They had words earlier
Speaker 1:at the club end quote. This charge was included in Aaron's trial for the double homicide, which began on March 1st 2017. During the trial, it was revealed that Alexander texted his lawyer about the shooting in a deleted text message which read quote Now you sure, once I withdraw this lawsuit, I won't be held on perjury after I tell the truth about me not recalling anything about who shot me. End quote. Jose Baez told Aaron Hernandez Uncovered that the prosecution wanted to speak with to inform her of the witness testimony before she found out in court. According to Baez, the prosecution was hoping that by disclosing this information to Cheyenne, she would turn on Aaron
Speaker 1:and effectively ruin his defense. When Baez spoke with Aaron about the possibility of his sexuality being discussed during the trial, aaron was very concerned about how it would affect Shana. George Leontire, aaron's other defense attorney, echoed this by saying, quote His biggest concern about his sexuality was how it would impact Shana and somehow diminish in her eyes the tremendous love that he felt for her. Here's a man who happened to be gay, who loved a woman end quote. Baez said, quote. I could see the betrayal in her face when I mentioned the man that Aaron had an affair with. She knew him and had spent time with him and Aaron. She felt like a fool. End quote. George Leontier said quote Aaron and I talked about his sexuality. This man clearly was gay, acknowledged it, acknowledged the immense pain that it caused him. I think that he also came out of a culture that was so negative about gay people that he exhibited some self-hatred. End quote George told Aaron Hernandez Uncovered that he went to the judge and the prosecutors and said quote the law is
Speaker 1:very clear about this issue. You cannot use a person's sexuality in the manner in which you are using it. It's been outlawed in this commonwealth and if you go forward with this theory, I can only promise you it will have repercussions not only in this courtroom but outside of this courtroom. End quote. Jose Baez added in his interview, saying that
Speaker 1:George said quote. End quote. One of the critical mistakes investigators made during the initial crime scene investigation was to carelessly leave the victims' bodies inside their vehicle, as it was towed away as evidence. That disturbed the crime scene and helped make for a lack of physical evidence tying Aaron Hernandez to the shooting, all but assuring a not guilty verdict. On April 14, 2017, aaron Hernandez was found not guilty in the double murder trial in Suffolk Superior Court. The jury did find him guilty on one count of illegal possession of firearms. They also acquitted him of the charge of witness intimidation. When the news of his acquittal was read on the TV, the inmates gathered around the television in the prison cheered. They kicked their cell doors and cheered when Aaron returned
Speaker 1:to the prison that night. In the nine days between his acquittal and his death, aaron gave his food, books and even television to his fellow prisoners, but gave no indication that he intended to take his own life no indication that he intended to take his own life. According to a fellow inmate, gifts such as these were rare in prison, but not unusual for Aaron. In a jailhouse conversation, aaron accused his mother, terry, of failing to obtain medication for his ADHD, which he said caused him to struggle in school. In another call, he told her quote there's so many things I would talk to you about so you can know me as a person, but I never could tell you and you're gonna die without even
Speaker 1:knowing your son. End quote. On April 17, 2017, reporter Michelle McPhee appeared on the Kirk and Callahan Sports Radio Show during which she and the two hosts used innuendos to imply that Aaron was gay. It has been suggested that this outing may have played a role in his suicide. The night it aired it got back to Aaron. He had a call with a friend and the friend said that it really bothered Aaron that people were talking about his sexuality. In the Oxygen special, aaron Hernandez uncovered Michelle McPhee said, quote. It seemed to me this is something he had been planning for a while, long before I ever went on a
Speaker 1:talk radio show. End quote. Jerry Callahan had a lot more to say. He said quote. I'm not sure why everyone was afraid to report it. I guess it was this fear of being labeled a homophobe. When you're talking about a friggin murderer, we reported it. If that pushed him over the edge, so be it. I have no regret. I don't know why anyone would end quote. And I found it very interesting that he immediately went with people perceiving the homophobic route, because the segment they did with Michelle was in fact very homophobic. I'm going to read you part of the transcript from their show that I got from the Daily Mail Jerry Callahan, this rumor, this Aaron Hernandez rumor, which is so juicy I
Speaker 1:want to get into it. It is big, michelle McPhee. I mean, hey, let's tease away, jerry. Michelle knows the real motive for the murder of Odin Lloyd and let's just say that Odin Lloyd caught Aaron Hernandez in a compromising position. Michelle, you could say that Aaron Hernandez was a former tight end before he was kicked off the Patriots Kirk Minahan tight end on and off the field as well, jerry and then he became a wide receiver, kirk, so you think he's comfortable in the prison lifestyle. He's probably doing well for himself romantically perhaps, michelle. Let's just say that Aaron Hernandez is known to kick with both feet. Jerry and Odin Lloyd knew it. And Odin Lloyd, michelle, he made the unfortunate move to say that out loud to somebody. Trigger warning the topic of suicide is about to be
Speaker 1:discussed. Listener discretion is advised. On April 19th 2017, at 3.05 am Eastern Standard Time, five days after Aaron Hernandez was acquitted of the 2012 Boston double homicide of Daniel DiAbreu and Saphiro Furtado, corrections officers found Aaron hanging with bedsheets from the window in his cell at the Sousa Bernowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, massachusetts. In Lancaster Massachusetts. He was transported to UMass Memorial Hospital, leominster, where he was pronounced dead at 4.07 am. He had been smoking K2, a drug associated with psychosis. Within 30 hours of his death, a fellow inmate told investigators that he had spent much of the previous two days smoking the synthetic cannabinoid. The State Department of Correction spokesman, christopher Fallon, first said that no suicide note was found in the initial search of the two-person cell which Aaron occupied alone. Which Aaron occupied alone On April 20, 2017, investigators reported that three handwritten notes were next to a Bible open to John 3.16, and that John 3.16 was written on
Speaker 1:his forehead in red ink. For anyone not familiar with the passage of John 3.16, it goes Shampoo was found covering the floor, cardboard was wedged under the cell door to make it difficult for someone to enter, and there were drawings in blood on the walls showing an unfinished pyramid and the all-seeing eye of God with the word Illuminati written in capital letters underneath. The drawings were references to the Nation of Gods and Earths, a black supremacist movement. Aaron learned about the Nation of Gods and Earths, a movement influenced by Islam, through hip-hop culture. While in prison, he also expressed an interest in Christianity, telling fellow prisoners that, quote we all have Jesus Christ
Speaker 1:inside of us. End quote. On April 21st 2017, the judge ordered all evidence be preserved in Aaron Hernandez's suicide the same day, investigative reporter Michelle McPhee wrote a story claiming that multiple people close to Aaron were on the record, saying that Aaron was gay. The idea gained more traction when reports surfaced that Aaron had had an affair with a teammate named Dennis Sansui in high school and had even come out to his family. On April 24th, the court allowed Aaron Hernandez's family to see the alleged suicide notes, including the one he left for his fiancee, shana Jenkins. The following day, on April 25th, aaron's lawyers filed a motion with the Massachusetts Superior Court in Fall River to vacate his murder conviction. Jose Baez reprinted contents of the notes in his 2018 book Unnecessary Roughness. One short letter was addressed to Baez, thanking him for securing the acquittal in the double homicide and anticipating an appeal in the Odin-Lloyd case. And anticipating an appeal in the Odin-Lloyd case. In addition, aaron asked Baez to pass along thanks to specific musicians whose songs he found inspiring. The other two notes were addressed
Speaker 1:to Aaron's fiancée and daughter. Aaron's letter to Shanna said quote unquote which prosecutors in the Odin-Lloyd case believed was a reference to the abatement of Benicio, the legal doctrine that vacates convictions if the defendant dies before their appeals are exhausted. In contrast to the straightforward letter to Baez, the lawyer described the other notes as written in a disjointed and markedly ominous tone. The Boston Globe described the letter to his daughter as quote strange, rambling, mystical and tender end quote. In these notes, aaron described entering a quote timeless realm end quote and announced that he would
Speaker 1:see his family in heaven. Prison officials had not observed any signs that Aaron was at risk for suicide, so he had not been put on an around the clock watch. Upon completion of the autopsy by the medical examiner, the death was officially ruled a suicide by hanging CTE, a progressive degenerative disease found in people who have had a severe blow or repeated blows to the head, including football players. Baez quickly disputed any claim of suicide and stated that he would initiate his own investigation of the death. However, in 2018, baez wrote that he was initially suspicious of the suicide finding, given that Aaron's optimistic demeanor after the acquittal in the double homicide, but he later came to believe Aaron had taken his own life, with CTE being a major contributing factor. After his brain was removed, aaron's body was cremated and his ashes
Speaker 1:were given to his family. On May 9, 2017, judge Garsh vacated Aaron Hernandez's conviction in the murder of Odin L Lloyd. Odin L Lloyd, following the state's legal precedent that reverses convictions if a defendant dies before all appeal possibilities are exhausted. The Lloyd family was disappointed with the ruling, but their attorney did not believe it would affect the wrongful death civil suit that the family had filed. Odin Lloyd's mother, ursula Ward, fought back against the ruling, saying Aaron would always be guilty in the eyes of her family. Ursula said, quote in our book he's guilty and he's going to always be guilty, but I know, I know one day I'm going to see my son and that's the victory that I have and I am going to take with me. I am waiting for my master to say well done my good and faithful servant and welcome to the joys of my kingdom, and that's when I'll see my baby again. I am not giving up. When God says the battle is over, the battle is over. So I'm holding on until he tells me to give up. End quote. On September 21st 2017, boston University's Center for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy announced that the study of Aaron's brain indicated a level 3 CTE, one step short of the most severe level. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard the appeal in November 2018, a year after Aaron's death. The attorney representing the Lloyd family, thomas M Quinn III, argued that Aaron was rightfully convicted of Odin's murder and that the conviction was unfairly wiped out. Quinn also argued that Aaron killed himself, knowing the technicality that would get his conviction thrown out, and that, quote, he should not be able to accomplish in death what he never would have been able to
Speaker 1:do in life. End quote. In March of 2018, alyssa Anderson told producers of Oxygen's Aaron Hernandez Uncovered that she and Aaron developed a quote really, really strong relationship and quote while they were attending the University of Florida. Though they decided to break up when he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2010, the two remained on good terms. Alyssa even reached out to Aaron when she heard he had been arrested in connection with the shooting of Odin Lloyd. Alyssa said quote when I originally heard Aaron got in trouble, I wrote him a letter. That started kind of a back and forth for the next couple of years. End quote. During her interview with Aaron Hernandez Uncovered, she claims the letters became more revealing as his legal troubles mounted. Quote towards the end of his first trial into the second trial. The letters became more intense. He did open up about some of the struggles he had gone through as a kid. He admitted to being molested as a kid, but he never dealt with it and it led to issues in his sexuality end quote. In one of his letters, alyssa said that Aaron admitted to being in a relationship with an unidentified man Quote back in college there was text messages I saw on his phone when he came back from a trip in Connecticut that was from a male that didn't have a name. It didn't really say too much, but it was a relationship with somebody and when I questioned him about it he always denied it. And then in one of the letters he opened up about it and he did admit it End quote. In an image of the letter that's been released, it says in part A March 13, 2019, massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court reinstated the late
Speaker 1:Aaron Hernandez's first-degree murder conviction. The late Aaron Hernandez's first-degree murder conviction. The state's legal precedent vacates convictions if a defendant dies before all appeal possibilities are exhausted, which returned Aaron's case to its pretrial status. In their ruling, the court also officially ended the practice of abatement ab initio, ruling that it was outdated, never made sense and was quote no longer consonant with the circumstances of contemporary life, if in fact it ever was. End quote. After the ruling, aaron's estate vowed
Speaker 1:to appeal the ruling further. In January 2020, netflix released a docuseries called Killer Inside the Mind of Aaron Hernandez that chronicles Aaron's life and career, as well as his crimes and his death. It also probes into both his sexuality and the post-mortem diagnosis of chronic CTE. There is sufficient reason to believe that CTE played a significant role in why Aaron Hernandez murdered Odin Lloyd and why he may have committed other acts of seemingly inexplicable violence. Dr Anne McKee, a neuropathologist who specializes in CTE at Boston University, studied Aaron's brain after his death and found it so plagued by CTE that she was shocked. The brain she was examining was any
Speaker 1:younger than 46 years old. What is ultimately to blame for Aaron Hernandez's short, violent life is still something of a mystery. The toxic mix of brain damage suffered on the field, childhood trauma and shame about his homosexuality likely all played a role in shaping his tragic fate. Despite the outcome of the trial, questions still linger about Aaron's past and what led him down such a destructive path. Some suggest that the trauma he experienced as a child, including the loss of his father at a young age, may have played a role. Others point to the potential impact that his NFL career had on his mental health, including the frequent head injuries he sustained while playing. Regardless of the reasons, aaron's tragic end serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unbridled ambition and the importance of seeking help when faced with mental health struggles. His story should inspire us all to prioritize self-care and seek assistance when we need it most. And that concludes our case on
Speaker 1:Aaron Hernandez and his crimes. Throughout this journey, we have explored the dark and complex world surrounding the former NFL player, shedding light on events that forever changed the lives of those involved. As we reflect on the story of Aaron Hernandez, it becomes clear that there are no simple answers or straightforward explanations. The case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of human nature, the consequences of our choices and the far-reaching impact of violence. We have examined the investigations, trials and aftermath, seeking to understand the motivations and circumstances that led to these heinous acts. But beyond the courtroom drama, we have also explored the broader societal issues surrounding this case, such as the pressures of fame, the influence of professional sports and the impact of personal struggles on mental health. In sharing this story, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to such tragic events, to such tragic events. Examining Aaron Hernandez's case reminds us of the importance of compassion, empathy and early intervention in addressing the underlying issues that can lead individuals down a destructive path. I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families, who have endured unimaginable pain and loss. My thoughts are also with those who have been affected by similar acts of violence as we strive to create a
Speaker 1:safer and more compassionate society. Thank you for joining me on this gripping and thought-provoking journey. Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling and having suicidal thoughts, help is available. You can call or text 988 to speak with someone. If you enjoy the podcast, please share it with your family and friends and be sure to subscribe and follow. You can find Crime Connoisseurs wherever you listen to your podcasts and on Instagram at Crime Connoisseurs. In the meantime, keep it classy, connoisseurs, and I'll catch you on the next case. Thank you you.
