Aaron Hernandez Murder Trial News Update: Second Juror Removed in Ex-NFL Player's Odin Lloyd Case
Another juror in the Aaron Hernandez murder trial has been dismissed in less than two weeks.
On Wednesday morning, Superior Court Judge E. Susan Garsh told jurors that they may have noticed another empty seat in the jury box panel.
"That was for reasons that were entirely personal to that juror. It has nothing to do with this case," she explained without going into detail, reports ESPN.
Last week, the presiding judge also removed Juror Number 96 from the former New England Patriots player's murder trial on Feb. 3. According to Judge Garsh, there was evidence that the juror specifically discussed an opinion about the case and the fact that it would be hard to convict Hernandez since the murder weapon was never found. The juror has also talked about the evidence that had not been admitted in the case, reports The Associated Press.
"Over the last few years, the juror has expressed an interest in serving on this particular jury," Garsh said, according to ESPN. "There is credible evidence that the juror has attended more Patriots games than were disclosed on the questionnaire."
Twelve jurors and four alternates now remain on the case.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the fiancée of the ex-NFL tight end has agreed to testify against him in exchange for immunity from her pending charge of lying to a grand jury.
According to The Boston Globe, Shayanna Jenkins has been granted immunity from perjury charges for allegedly lying to the Bristol County grand jury that investigated the murder case. As a result, she will have to testify against the father of her child.
Prosecutors argue that Hernandez and his two friends drove the victim, Odin Lloyd, "to a secluded, isolated area in North Attleborough, a town where Odin Lloyd knew no one but the defendant and the defendant's fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins. There Odin Lloyd was shot 6 times. He was killed, and he was left in a secluded area," said Bristol County prosecutor Patrick Bomberg, according to The Boston Globe.
On the other hand, the defense argues that Hernandez is being targeted for his celebrity status. Hernandez's lawyers have also pointed out that the suspect and the victim were friends and that any evidence that Hernandez was at the murder scene is not proof that he killed, conspired to kill or wanted to kill him.
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