Hernandez cousin testifies in his murder trial
By: Melissa Randall
mrandall@abc6.com
@MRandallABC6
Aaron Hernandez’s family dynamic became the focus of day 33 in his first murder trial. His cousin, who is one of his closest relatives, was granted immunity and forced to testify.
A family friend of Aaron Hernandez was also on the stand. He says the day after the murder the former Patriot called him. Prosecutors allege he was using a burner phone.
“I recognized it was a different number,” said Thomas McDonnell whose sons have known Hernandez since elementary school.
Records show that same phone number texted Jennifer Mercado. She’s Hernandez’s cousin, and the sister of Tanya Singleton who was found guilty of contempt. Mercado’s response to what was in that message: “I don’t remember”
She gave similar testimony to dozens of questions. Mercado did remember that in the days after Odin Lloyd was killed Singleton took off— allegedly driving one of Hernandez’s co–conspirators out of state.
“She told me she was going to
Mercado also testified that a few hours before the murder she saw Ernest Wallace and carols Ortiz leave
“…nervous and moving around. And real jittery. Like I think crazy,” she described. Her testimony essentially set up the defense.
About two hours later the men arrived at Hernandez’s
Mercado also testified about a jail house phone call between her and Hernandez. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder.
“He said he was innocent. That he didn’t do it. And that God will see us through,” she said.
There will be no testimony Wednesday. Instead a hearing about whether a dozen or so additional jail house calls will be allowed in as evidence.
The prosecution also filed paperwork Tuesday asking for the full
© WLNE-TV 2015
