News

No verdict on Day 2 of Hernandez deliberations

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is seated during closing arguments in his double murder trial at Suffolk Superior Court, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Boston. Hernandez is on trial for the July 2012 killings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado who he encountered in a Boston nightclub. The former NFL player is already serving a life sentence in the 2013 killing of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd. Photo: Associated Press/(AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)


BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the double-murder trial of ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez (all times local):

4:25 p.m.

The jury in the double-murder trial of ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez has finished a second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict.

Jurors were sent home late Monday afternoon after asking a Boston judge to clarify the law on a witness intimidation charge against Hernandez. The judge said he will give the jury further explanation before deliberations resume Tuesday.

Hernandez is charged in the 2012 shootings of two men in a drive-by shooting in Boston. His lawyers say Hernandez’s former friend was the triggerman.

On Monday, a lawyer for Hernandez told Judge Jeffrey Locke that his selection of a white woman as the forewoman on the predominantly minority jury has “troubling racial overtones.” Locke said he found that claim “astounding.”

Hernandez is already serving a life sentence in a 2013 killing.

___

10:35 a.m.

A lawyer for former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez has objected to the judge’s selection of a white woman as the jury forewoman in his double-murder trial.

Attorney Ronald Sullivan Jr. made his argument Monday as jurors started their second day of deliberations.

Sullivan said the choice of a white woman on the mostly minority jury “has very troubling racial overtones.” He said choosing her as forewoman ensured she would remain on the jury instead of being dismissed as an alternate.

Judge Jeffrey Locke said he found it “astounding” that Sullivan would make that claim.

Hernandez is charged in the 2012 shootings of two men in a drive-by shooting in Boston. His lawyers say Hernandez’s former friend was the triggerman.

The victims were Cape Verdean. Hernandez’s father is Hispanic, and his mother is Italian.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Recent Headlines

5 hours ago in Sports

Cooper Flagg becomes youngest player to score 42 points but laments Mavericks’ overtime loss to Jazz

Cooper Flagg scored the most points by an 18-year-old in NBA history, but he couldn't enjoy the accomplishment because it came in a loss. Flagg had 42 points — topping the previous mark of 37 set by LeBron James on Dec. 13, 2003 — in a 140-133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

5 hours ago in Sports

Aaron Rodgers and Steelers freeze out Dolphins, stay atop AFC North with 28-15 win

Aaron Rodgers passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns and Pittsburgh kept its grasp on the top spot in the AFC North with a clinical 28-15 victory over the Dolphins, who were eliminated from playoff contention.

1 day ago in Sports

Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and Chiefs say he’s considering surgical options

Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee while trying to keep the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and the two-time MVP quarterback was considering surgical options.

1 day ago in Sports

Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons feared to have torn ACL, AP source says

Micah Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher's injury told The Associated Press on Sunday.