Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was charged with murder in the first degree in the death of Odin Lloyd and five weapons charges during his arraignment in Attleboro District Court on Wednesday, capping a dizzying series of events.
Hernandez, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, will be held without bail.
The murder charge was announced at 2:44 pm ET, roughly six hours after Hernandez was taken from his North Attleboro, Mass., home in handcuffs after being arrested by the Massachusetts State Police and North Attleboro Police. The Patriots released the fourth-year Pro Bowl tight end less than 90 minutes after he was taken by police.
Hernandez's stunning, swift fall from grace was reflected in the Patriots' statement on the matter:
"A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do."
As a three-year veteran, Hernandez will be subject to waivers. Another team theoretically could claim Hernandez by Thursday.
NFL Network's Rich Hollenberg told "NFL AM" that three police cars, two of them unmarked, arrived at Hernandez's residence early Wednesday. As many as nine plainclothes police officers and two uniformed North Attleboro officers entered Hernandez's home, bringing him out about five minutes later. The tight end answered the door shirtless, but was taken away with a white T-shirt draped over his upper body, with his hands cuffed behind his back.
The Patriots provided clarity about his immediate NFL future when they released him. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the decision was a collaborative one involving the franchise's top decision-makers. It was also one that was made last week, not Wednesday morning.
The Patriots knew that if Hernandez was arrested for being involved at some level in a homicide investigation, he was going to be released, according to Rapoport. There might be financial repercussions, including a large salary-cap hit in 2014. For Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft, this was their clearest route to putting the issue behind them.
The murder charge caps a series of events that started on Monday, June 17, at 5:30 p.m. ET, when the body of Odin Lloyd, 27, was found. An autopsy confirmed his death was a homicide, authorities said. Lloyd's family told The Associated Press that Lloyd had connections to Hernandez, although they would not elaborate. Lloyd was a semi-pro football player in the Boston area, having played for the Boston Bandits.
The police were seen at Hernandez's home multiple times in the following week, including on Saturday, June 22, when they recovered evidence from Hernandez's home after executing a search warrant. The full timeline of events can be seen here.
The NFL is monitoring the situation. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello issued the following statement to NFL Network's Steve Wyche:
"The involvement of an NFL player in a case of this nature is deeply troubling. The Patriots have released Aaron Hernandez, who will have his day in court. At the same time, we should not forget the young man who was the victim in this case and take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathy to Odin Lloyd's family and friends."
WOW! But why cut so queitly? I mean Ray L. was charged with murder back in 2000 and he was not cut from the ravens team? And the charged were later drop as he was not the killer. I gruess this is just Bill being Bill!?
