First full day of deliberations in the Hernandez trial

April 8, 2015 7:04 pm

By: Melissa Randall
mrandall@abc6.com
@MRandallABC6

The first full day of deliberations in the murder trial of Aaron Hernandez has wrapped up. The jurors deliberated from 9 am until about 4:30 when they were sent home for the day.

The former Patriot seemed relaxed and was seen laughing with his lawyers when jurors were out of the room. After nearly two and a half months of testimony Hernandez’s future is in the jurors hands. Now the big question is how long will it take for them to come back with a verdict?

“I would imagine that there would be a verdict by Friday. What makes you say that? Well I think despite the fact that there was over 100 witnesses the issue is going to be pretty narrow at the end of the day,” said Frank Camera, a criminal defense attorney who has been following the trial.

Camera adds that if there is a quick decision that wouldn’t necessarily mean a guilty verdict has been reached.

“I’ve had trials where they’ve come back pretty quickly and it’s gone both ways. So the amount of time is not indicative of either an acquittal or a conviction,” he said.

Hernandez is accused of orchestrating the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. The 27 year-old-victim was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée. The jury will have to decide whether he is not guilty of murder, guilty of 1st degree murder or guilty of 2nd degree murder. In addition to that there are 2 weapons charges.

Under Massachusetts joint venture law, the Commonwealth does not have to prove Hernandez pulled the trigger, only that he knowing participated in the crime. The defense has already that Hernandez was there when Lloyd was killed.

“I think that’s why the issue is going to be sort of narrow as to what they’re going to deliberate about because now there is essentially no argument as to his being present,” said Camera.

If found guilty of first degree murder Hernandez faces life in prison with out the possibility of parole.