Attorneys for jailed former NFL star Aaron Hernandez are scrambling to learn if the one-time veteran tight end's longtime girlfriend has struck a plea deal with prosecutors that could result in her testifying against the father of her child when he goes to trial on murder charges later this year.

According to the Boston Globe, Shayanna Jenkins and her lawyer recently had a "confidential meeting" with prosecutors that could lead to the perjury charges she now faces being dropped in exchange for testimony against Hernandez.

The 25-year-old former Florida star has been jailed for more than a year in connection with the execution-style slaying of one-time associate Odin Lloyd. Authorities have speculated Hernandez may have killed the 27-year-old Lloyd because of his knowledge of other violent crimes Hernandez is suspected of having been involved in.

In their most recent filing, attorneys for Hernandez asked Bristol Superior Court Judge E. Susan Garsh to require prosecutors to "disclose forthwith all promises, rewards, or inducements" they have extended to Jenkins and another witness.

"The defendant has a right to be informed of same and such disclosure should be made forthwith," they added in their motion.

Soon after Hernandez was taken into custody in June of 2013, investigators openly speculated they suspected Jenkins of making "overt attempts to hide evidence," perhaps even stashing the weapon they believe was used to kill Lloyd.

The 25-year-old Hernandez also faces double murder charges in the 2012 drive-by slayings of Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu outside a Boston nightclub. Police have speculated Hernandez may have opened fire on the two unsuspecting victims after one of them accidentally spilled a drink on him in a nearby nightclub and failed to apologize.

Judge Garsh recently ruled that prosecutors will not be allowed to enter details about that case into evidence during Hernandez's first trial.

Related