Here's What's Happening:
- Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez was found guilty Wednesday of the first-degree murder of his friend, Odin Lloyd.
- He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He has the right to appeal.
- Hernandez was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon and ammunition.
- Ursula Ward, Odin's mother, said during the sentencing phase she forgives "all involved" in her son's murder and that "I miss my baby Odin so much, but I know I'm gonna see him someday, and that is giving me the strength to go on."
Updates
Juror said he thought, "investigators still haven't determined time of death. How did he claim to know that detail two years ago?"
Juror says he found Robert Kraft's testimony was compelling because Aaron said he wished they'd release time of death bc he was at a club.
One determination for extreme atrocity or cruelty: "He was shot six times."
Six of the jurors said in a press conference they were Patriots fans.
Jurors say they were shocked Aaron's attorney's closing statement included admission that he was at the scene of the crime.
"Did you believe Shayanna was telling the truth?" Jurors smile, look at each other: "We're not gonna comment."
Jury forewoman: Reading the verdict was "the hardest thing I've ever done in my life." When asked what she'd say to Aaron: "Nothing."
Jury statement:
Hernandez taken into holding cell by court officers. Life as a free man under presumption of innocence is over.
Judge asks defense what to do about remaining charges. Defense: “Let’s see what happens in Boston."
Hernandez, standing with his attorneys, does not react.
BREAKING: Judge E. Susan Garsh sentences Aaron Hernandez to life without parole for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd.
Hernandez defense: “We have nothing to add.”
Prosecutor asks Hernandez be sentenced to state prison for the “term of his natural life.” for “brutal and senseless” murder.
Thibou said that when she found out her brother had been killed she did not believe it.
"We grew up in a neighborhood that wasn't the best, he avoided all these things," she said. "He was never in a gang, he never picked up a gun, and this is how he died."
"Odin was a good man," she added.
Ursula Ward is smiling as her daughter — Odin Lloyd’s younger sister — tells a story about him.
Lloyd's sister Olivia Thibou also spoke before the sentencing.
Odin’s uncle: “All darkness must come to light.”
Ursula Ward, Odin’s mother, says she forgives “all involved” in her son’s murder.
Odin Lloyd's mother Ursula Ward delivered a victim impact statement before Hernandez was sentenced on Wednesday.
Ward described her son as the man of the house, and said he was loved by his whole family.
She said she will now never get to dance with him at his wedding and his young relatives will never know him.
"I miss my baby Odin so much, but I know I'm gonna see him someday, and that is giving me the strength to go on," she said.
Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of former semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd.
The conviction means the jury believed he committed the crime with "extreme atrocity and cruelty."
A first degree murder charge in Massachusetts carries a sentence of life without parole. Hernandez will be sentenced shortly.
He was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The trial included 131 prosecution witnesses and two defense witnesses.
Extreme atrocity and cruelty. Shayanna, Aaron’s mother, and Odin’s mother sobbing
Emotions in this courtroom are out of control.
Aaron just looked over at Shayanna and his mother and whispered: “it will be ok. Be strong.”
Aaron to Shayanna “I love you.”
Hernandez is in cuffs. He keeps looking over and telling Shayanna it will be ok. I wonder if she still believes him.
Courtroom cleared out. Shayanna and Aaron’s mother are still in the room. Shayanna is beside herself.
On June 16, 2013, Aaron Hernandez and two friends, Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace, gathered at Hernandez's home in North Attleborough, Mass. Around 11 p.m., the three men left in a rented silver Nissan Altima and drove 45 minutes north to Boston to pick up Odin Lloyd.
Lloyd's body was found at an empty industrial lot in North Attleborough on the afternoon of June 17, 2013. He had been shot six times with a .45 Glock.
The next day, police arrived at Hernandez's home and questioned him about Lloyd's murder. He was arrested on June 26, 2013 and has been in custody since.
The .45 Glock used to murder Lloyd was never found, but prosecutors argued it was in a box Shayanna threw away at Hernandez's direction. The prosecution also struggled to present a motive to the jury, but hinted that Hernandez might have felt he could not trust Lloyd.
Lloyd and Hernandez had met in August 2012 through their girlfriends, sisters Shaneah and Shayanna Jenkins, respectively. Over the next few months, Shaneah and Lloyd visited Shayanna and Hernandez at their home in North Attleborough. Around the beginning of June 2013, Hernandez and Lloyd began developing a friendship of their own, independent of the Jenkins sisters.
Hernandez faces separate charges for a 2012 double homicide that took place in Boston. He was charged in connection to the shooting after he was arrested for Odin Lloyd's murder. That trial begins next month.