New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is in the news this week because of two serious issues. We’ll do our best to break down exactly what Hernandez is facing and why he is involved in both cases.
Hernandez, 23, was a star high school player in Bristol, Conn., before moving on to Florida from 2007-2009. He was drafted in the fourth-round by the Patriots in 2010 and reportedly slipped in the draft because of failed drug tests in college. He has caught 175 passes for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns in 38 career games for the Pats and has been limited by injuries.
On Tuesday, it was reported that Hernandez was questioned by police in a homicide case.
A 27-year-old man named Odin Lloyd was found dead by a jogger in North Attleboro, Mass., on Monday. Lloyd’s body was found about a mile from Hernandez’s home, and a report said the possible connection between Hernandez and the case was a rental car found near the body that was in the tight end’s name. Hernandez supposedly was being uncooperative in the police’s attempt to investigate the case. He reportedly has not been ruled out as a suspect, though SI says Hernandez is not believed to be a suspect.
Lloyd was a player for the Boston Bandits, a semi-pro football league. The Boston Globe says a neighbor told them it was known that Lloyd would hand out with Patriots players. WBZ in Boston also reported that Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez’s girlfriend.
On Wednesday, TMZ brought up another case involving Hernandez that appears to be unrelated to the homicide.
Hernandez was sued in federal court in Florida on June 13 by a friend who alleges he was shot by the tight end. The man, who is named Alexander S. Bradley in the suit, alleges in the suit that on Feb. 13 2013, he, Hernandez and a group of people went to Tootsie’s strip club in Miami. According to court filings obtained by LBS, Bradley alleges that he and Hernandez got into an argument at the club. The two were later riding in a car headed toward Palm Beach with two others when a gun being held by Hernandez discharged and the bullet hit Bradley.
The suit alleges that Hernandez did not have proper permits or licenses to use/carry the gun.
Bradley claims he has lost his right eye and required multiple surgeries to reconstruct his face as a result of the gun shot. He says he has headaches, pain, and difficulty eating, and that he had plates and screws inserted in the right side of his face. He was seeking at least $100,000 in damages.
The suit was voluntarily withdrawn by Bradley’s attorney on June 17, but Bradley’s lawyer says the case has not been resolved and that he withdrew because of an error in his filing.
LBS obtained copies of all the reports filed in connection with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s department’s investigation into the case.
According to the reports, Bradley, who was named “Bradley A. Sherrod” in the police report, was found behind a John Deere store on Fiscal Court in Riviera Beach on Feb. 13. A man who works at John Deere said he arrived at work between 6:30 am and 6:45 am that morning and heard a gunshot. He told police he saw an SUV drive away, one that was possibly dark green and possibly a Ford Explorer or Expedition. He and his boss then found a man bleeding profusely, so they called 911.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies and medical personnel arrived at the scene to treat Bradley, who appeared to be shot by the right temple and in the right hand. Most statements taken from those involved say Bradley was rude and/or uncooperative, and that he refused to identify his attacker. However, one statement says Bradley says his shooters were black and Hispanic males.
Bradley was taken to a hospital, underwent a CT scan, and was treated in the ICU.
Bradley, 30, was arrested in 2006 on multiple drug charges, according to the Hartford Courant. The Courant says “Bradley was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and operating a drug factory.”
SI says that in addition to drug issues, some NFL teams had concerns about Hernandez’s association with friends who had gang ties.
Hernandez was facing a civil suit in the case with Bradley, but it may be possible for Palm Beach County to open up criminal charges in the matter.
