Hernandez cousin pleads guilty to criminal contempt charge
By: Melissa Randall
Aaron Hernandez’s cousin pled guilty in Fall River Superior Court Tuesday, refusing to testify before a grand jury.
Tanya Singleton chose to give up her right to face a jury.
Her lawyer says she decided family was most important, as the relationship between her and Hernandez was described as closer than most cousins.
Singleton pled guilty to a criminal contempt charge.
Even after being granted immunity, the Connecticut woman refused to testify against her famous cousin before a grand jury in the Odin Lloyd murder case.
Prosecutors say they gave her every chance to participate but Singleton deliberately thwarted the investigation.
They allege there was even a phone conversation where Aaron Hernandez told her not to say anything to anyone, and she agreed.
The defense did not admit to that.
Lloyd’s mother wasn’t allowed to give a victim impact statement, but did speak to reporters afterwards.
Ursula Ward says, “This is from a mother to another mother. My baby was my only son. My first born. My baby is gone without me saying goodbye. I need to know how a mother is going to feel losing a child like that.”
The judge did say Singleton’s deteriorating health played a big role in today’s sentencing, as she is battling cancer.
Singleton was sentenced to two years probation and home confinement.
© WLNE-TV 2014
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