WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US football star Aaron Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole on Wednesday for the killing of his friend Odin Lloyd, according to media reports.
“Aaron Hernandez was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a friend who had angered him,” The Boston Globe reported on Wednesday. “He was sentenced to life without parole.”
BREAKING: Aaron Hernandez found guilty of first-degree murder. pic.twitter.com/gERZVsp4Rn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 15, 2015
On June 17, 2013, Hernandez shot and killed his friend Odin Lloyd, who was a linebacker with the semi-professional football team Boston Bandits since 2007.
Following his arrest, two other person of interest — Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace — were arrested on June 28 in connection with Lloyd’s death.
Prosecutors claimed Ortiz and Wallace were with Hernandez when he drove to the place of the murder in North Attleborough, Massachusetts.
On August 22, 2013, Hernandez was indicted by a Grand Jury for the murder of Lloyd, and eight months later, Ortiz and Wallace were charged with murder as well.
“Odin was my first, best gift I ever received. I thank God every second and every day of my son’s life that I spent with him,” his mother Ursula Ward said in a statement, according to local media.
Ursula Ward and well wishers after jury convicts #AaronHernandez of 1st degree murder of her son #OdinLloyd pic.twitter.com/ltrMaxh3HA
— Michele McPhee (@MicheleMcPhee) April 15, 2015
#OdinLloyd was shot & killed. Thankfully, his murderer will never get out of jail. http://t.co/3lbUTKbpH9 #MomsDemand pic.twitter.com/272xqBB0eY
— KHARY PENEBAKER (@kharyp) April 15, 2015
The authorities have also charged Hernandez with murdering two Florida men in 2012.
