Aaron Hernandez Pleads Not Guilty To Murder Of Odin Lloyd

Aaron Hernandez pleaded not guilty during his arraignment for the murder of Odin Lloyd friday. The former Patriots tight end also pleaded not guilty to a number of weapons related charges.

Hernandez was arrested on June 26th after being escorted from his home in handcuffs. During the hearing he was charged with first-degree murder. He was also charged on five fun related counts. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

On August 22nd a grand jury indicted Aaron Hernandez on the charge of first degree murder.

On friday Hernandez and his team of lawyers were finally able to file a not guilty plea to all charges. He is being held without bail and without prejudice.

Odin Lloyd was a semi-pro football player. He played for the Boston Bandits. He was also the boyfriend of Aaron Hernandez’s fiancee’s sister.

It isn’t quite clear what happened between Lloyd and Hernandez the night Lloyd was murdered. If Hernandez is guilty as charged, it was enough to ruin his promising career over.

Before he was arrested and charged, Hernandez was one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He was a favorite target of Tom Brady and had just signed a contract extension. The extension was for $40 million over five years.

Many have criticized the Patriots for the extension. Coming out of college Aaron Hernandez was seen as a first round talent but fell to the fourth round. He had a number of character and drug issues at Florida that kept teams away.

Before the draft Hernandez wrote a personal letter to the Patriots saying they could drug test him as much as they wanted. He claimed he was a new person. New England believed him.

The Patriots trusted Hernandez so much they did not include a “failure to perform” clause in his five year contract extension. The clause would have allowed the the team to void his new contract. Now New England must find another way.

Do you think Aaron Hernandez should have pleaded not guilty? Will he win his trial?