Defense Rests Case in Aaron Hernandez Murder Trial
Prosecution in the Aaron Hernandez murder trial rested their case last Thursday after two months of testimony from 131 witnesses.
On Monday, Hernandez's lawyers rested their case after just one day and only three witnesses without the ex-NFL star taking the stand, as reported by the Associated Press. Their sticking points were telling jurors to think about why Hernandez would risk his career, wealth and livelihood and also alleging slipshod police work. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty in the murder of Odin Lloyd, 26.
The defense's first witness Monday was Dr. David Greenblatt, a Tufts University School of Medicine professor, who testified about the effects of PCP. Hernandez's co-defendants, Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace, were allegedly smoking the hallucinogen drug before Lloyd's murder and, like the former New England Patriots tight end, have both pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Patrick Bomberg showed Greenblatt surveillance of Hernandez, Ortiz and Wallace walking out of Hernandez's home after the crime, asking him if they seemed to be under the influence of PCP.
"This is essentially three minutes after the murder — you'd expect to see something lingering of PCP psychosis or intoxication," Bomberg said, as reported by the AP.
"You just can't tell," Greenblatt replied.
The defense's other two witnesses were called to talk about DNA found on a shell casing inside Hernandez's rented Nissan Altima. The shell casing had Hernandez's DNA on it, but the defense argued that it only carried his DNA because it was stuck to blue bubble gum that he chewed and spit out.
Closing arguments in the case will take place Tuesday or Wednesday, before the jury begins deliberation.
BET Sports News - Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
(Photo: AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
