Aaron Hernandez’s defense attorney speaks out

April 18, 2017 5:44 pm

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Days after the stunning verdict was returned in the Aaron Hernandez double-murder trial, a member of his defense team is speaking out.

George Leontire is the former city solicitor of New Bedford and he was hand selected to join Jose Baez’s team of renowned attorneys and represent the former Patriots star.

"Unlike many high profile cases with high profile lawyers, there were no egos involved. This was a great working relationship,” said Leontire.

Leontire and Team Baez got to work knowing just how great the task at hand was. Hernandez was not only a major sports figure in New England, but had already been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

"It was a heavy burden because we collectively felt he was innocent of his charges and its no small feat when you’ve got the government on the other side with unlimited resources, five years to investigate,” Leontire said.

But the defense team believes they discredited each witness called during the trial, including the state’s star witness Alexander Bradley.

"It was a tense waiting period. We felt we had done our jobs but you never know which way a jury is gonna come back,” Leontire said.

After six days of deliberation, the verdict was returned. Hernandez was acquitted.

"Aaron was overwhelmed with tears of emotion,” described Leontire.

Leontire has been practicing law for more than three decades, but says the work leading up to that moment ranks as one of his greatest accomplishments.

"I think that the quality of work we did in this case was extremely gratifying."