The prosecution in the Aaron Hernandez murder trial may have scored its biggest victory to date this week, as the former New England Patriots tight end’s girlfriend has been granted immunity and will testify against him.
Shayanna Jenkins, who is the mother of Hernandez’s child, had been charged with perjury on allegations she lied to the grand jury when evidence related to the murder of Odin Lloyd was being presented. Jenkins’ sister, Shanea, was in a romantic relationship with Lloyd.
As part of her plea agreement, prosecutors can now force Jenkins to testify against Hernandez. If she has a change of heart and refuses, she could be held in contempt of court and sent to jail.
Obviously, Jenkins may have a ton of information regarding Hernandez’s relationship with Lloyd, where he was the night Lloyd was murdered, and what Hernandez did and said before and after Lloyd was killed. Hernandez’s legal team will try to attack Jenkins’ credibility by saying she is simply testifying against their client to keep herself out of prison, but the jury will undoubtedly be interested in hearing what Jenkins has to say.
Hernandez’s lawyer was in a joking mood last week, and the judge didn’t appreciate it. Now that Jenkins is set to testify against the 25-year-old, Hernandez’s lawyers are probably feeling a little less relaxed.
