Aaron Hernandez charged with 1st degree murder; released by Patriots

[Marbleheader]

This is ridiculous and a terrible overreaction.  What ever happened to the presumption of innocence?
 
Sacrificing the strength on the team on the field in order to avoid a POTENTIALLY messy situation is incredibly discouraging as a fan of the sport.  This bullshit Boy Scout attitude that the Pats take is a complete farce.  



You should probably stop posting in here for a while.

 

[DLew On Roids]

Professional sports is pretty much the only industry in America where Hernandez could be facing what the public knows about him and people could talk with a straight face about him keeping his job.  Even a Big Swinging D*ck on Wall Street would have to hit the bench until the charges played out.

 

[fairlee76]

I'd hold off on throwing away Hernandez gear until after Halloween. Get a toy gun and a bag of oregano and you're set.

Well done.

 

[Zenicity]

Also: what a fucking moron. You had EVERYTHING. Amazing career. New baby. Youth. Money. What a fucking moron.

 
This.  Times a fucking million.
 
Can't even imagine how ridiculously disappointed everyone is.  Kraft, BB, Brady.  

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

I don't know.  I guess it will depend on the substance of the charge....... assuming that one is forthcoming.

"Charges" are traditionally linked to "being arrested."
 
And here's a clue to the answer of Andrew's question:  No. 

 

[redsox13]

Look I'm no Saul Goodman, but I seriously doubt the charge of obstruction (if thats even what we're talking about here) is flimsy or premature. If that's what it is then it's one of two things, it's serious shit that Hernandez better start taking seriously OR it's a lesser charge until that allows the cops to keep their hooks in him until they are able to gather mounting evidence for something more serious that they can add to said charge.  

 
Or he's being charged in order to obtain information that they otherwise wouldn't be able to obtain.  Lay a weak obstruction charge, then negotiate with Hernandez to provide information about the murder in exchange for the charge being dropped.  Maybe he went completely silent, but doesn't know anything about the actual murder itself.  He's legally entitled to do so, and any competent lawyer would have advised him of this when he was given his right to counsel.  

 

[NortheasternPJ]

This.  Times a fucking million.
 
Can't even imagine how ridiculously disappointed everyone is.  Kraft, BB, Brady.  

 
Don't get arrested and show up. That's it, its amazing so many can screw that up.

 

[kevmyster]

I don't know.  I guess it will depend on the substance of the charge....... assuming that one is forthcoming.

 
You're right to be suspicious. This whole thing reeks of a witch hunt.

 

[redsox13]

"Charges" are traditionally linked to "being arrested."
 
And here's a clue to the answer of Andrew's question:  No. 

  Traditionally linked, but not required.  Do you realize how often people are actually arrested without being charged?

 

[Corsi]

Asked who made the decision to cut Aaron Hernandez. Was told it was a "collaborative decision." Kraft, Belichick -- key decision makers.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/349914321196810241

 

[ethangl]

  Traditionally linked, but not required.  Do you realize how often people are actually arrested without being charged?

 
MASS STATE POLICE ‏@MassStatePolice
3m
We are not releasing the charge against Hernandez until it is presented to the court. Again, he will be arraigned in Attleboro Court today

 

[Stitch01]

  Traditionally linked, but not required.  Do you realize how often people are actually arrested without being charged?

He's being charged.  

 

[AbbyNoho]

I don't know.  I guess it will depend on the substance of the charge....... assuming that one is forthcoming.

 
I'm saying it doesn't matter what the charge will be, if he's part of an on-going investigation (even if he isn't charged with murder himself yet) he wouldn't be on the field anyway.

 

[Rico Guapo]

  Traditionally linked, but not required.  Do you realize how often people are actually arrested without being charged?

 
Please explain to us how common it is for a half dozen police officers to show up at someones house, arrest them, bring them to court, only to have no charges filed.

 

[Ed Hillel]

David Stern has blocked the release on the grounds that it was the murder that caused the Patriots to make the decision.

 

[H78]

All I care about is whether the Patriots can reclaim the cap space. Even if they don't use it in 2013, can they roll it over to 2014? Or has the "roll over" rule passed?
 
If it can be turned around quick enough to impact this season, John Abraham may be the most thankful man on the planet that Hernandez just flushed his life down the toilet.

 

[Trlicek's Whip]

Yes, they aren't going to find a ton of empty seats if Hernandez is scoring touchdowns.  
 
Just feels very premature.  He's been arrested, and perhaps the Pats suspect that his involvement is more serious than the allegations in the media, but it seems like a bullshit, knee-jerk reaction that has been precipitated by the widespread coverage of the murder.
 
If he's not going to be able to participate in training camp or games, then I'd release him, but not until that was confirmed.  Perhaps I'm just not one of those people who feels that professional athletes exist to fill the void that your daddy left after the divorce, but I'd let the guy hang around until formal charges are laid. 

 
For the cheap seats, and to summarize the thread posts you're mis-skimming:
 
1) A weeklong "where there's smoke" investigation swirling around him and his house isn't all that premature. Especially since-
2) You have no idea what the Patriots know already about the Hernandez situation that you, posting from your keyboard, do not, and
3) You wrongfully assume that the Pats are getting all their information and intel solely from the same media streams you are - Twitter, Boston hacks, sports bloggers, radio chatter, SoSH. So the "knee-jerk reaction" is not a logical leap just because you yourself are knee-jerking.
 
"Innocent until proven guilty" only applies to real court, and kangaroo court.
 

Perhaps I'm just not one of those people who feels that professional athletes exist to fill the void that your daddy left after the divorce, but I'd let the guy hang around until formal charges are laid. 

 
No earthly idea what this means.

 

[Gash Prex]

I can't say I am very impressed with the his criminal defense attorney with the way this has gone down, especially with the perp walk.  

 

[Ralphwiggum]

  Traditionally linked, but not required.  Do you realize how often people are actually arrested without being charged?

 
What is your argument here?  That they should have waited until the charges were formally filed before releasing him?  If he is charged with murder or accessory to murder later today would the release be OK with you then?  Or do you think they should wait until he's convicted?
 
I don't even understand what you are arguing.  There is a small chance that Hernandez was not involved at all in anything illegal and in that case I'm sure the Pats will end up regretting releasing the guy.  That seems incredibly unlikely, though, and assuming he's involved on some level I see no issue with the Pats deciding that they do not want anyone on the team who was involved in a murder either directly, as an accessory, or in covering one up for some stupid buddies.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

I had a really bad feeling about this from the beginning. Too many things done by Hernandez that guilty people do. Trash the phone, trash the security system, get the house thoroughly cleaned... I said it in the thread that got locked and others have reiterated it here but what a frickin idiot. Playing for a perennial Super Bowl contender, making millions of dollars... pissed it all away. That's a pretty big hole to fill in the offense now, it was going to be bad enough without Gronk. Tough day to be a Pats fan.

I only hope Odin Lloyd's family gets the full story.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

All I care about is whether the Patriots can reclaim the cap space. Even if they don't use it in 2013, can they roll it over to 2014? Or has the "roll over" rule passed?
 
If it can be turned around quick enough to impact this season, John Abraham may be the most thankful man on the planet that Hernandez just flushed his life down the toilet.

Can Abraham play TE?

 

[Grin&MartyBarret]

You're right to be suspicious. This whole thing reeks of a witch hunt.

 
There's no such thing as a witch. Odin Lloyd was actually murdered. See the difference?

 

[kevmyster]

There's no such thing as a witch. Odin Lloyd was actually murdered. See the difference?

 
Sorry, I thought the sarcasm was obvious.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

There's no such thing as a witch. Odin Lloyd was actually murdered. See the difference?

I think he was being sarcastic.

 

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Sorry, I thought the sarcasm was obvious.

 
 

I think he was being sarcastic.

 
Oops, my bad. Carry on.

 

[H78]

Can Abraham play TE?

 
No, but Jake Ballard, who is already on the roster, can. And possibly - and I hate to say this - Tim Tebow.
 
IF they can reclaim the money it doesn't have to be spent on a TE. There are other ways to help the team.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

I saw that he's being arraigned in District Court.  Wouldn't he be arraigned in Superior Court if he's being charged with a felony?

 

[RedOctober3829]

No, but Jake Ballard, who is already on the roster, can. And possibly - and I hate to say this - Tim Tebow.
 
IF they can reclaim the money it doesn't have to be spent on a TE. There are other ways to help the team.

Please, everyone, stop talking about Tim Tebow as a TE.  It's not going to happen.
 
FA options out there are Dallas Clark, Kevin Boss, Shiancoe, and Daniel Graham among others.
 
Not Tim Tebow.  Tim Tebow is a QB.

 

[AbbyNoho]

  Traditionally linked, but not required.  Do you realize how often people are actually arrested without being charged?

 
The circumstances are incredibly different. People who are arrested and not charged are those who are arrested by a single officer making a decision based upon something he/she witnessed. I don't think anyone has ever been arrested and not charged after waiting several weeks for the collection of evidence and a full plan by the District Attorney's office. Maybe on Law & Order?
 
 

Please, everyone, stop talking about Tim Tebow as a TE.  It's not going to happen.
 
FA options out there are Dallas Clark, Kevin Boss, Shiancoe, and Daniel Graham among others.
 
Not Tim Tebow.  Tim Tebow is a QB.

 
So was Julian Edelman. I'm not saying it will happen, but I wouldn't discard the notion so easily.

 

[H78]

Please, everyone, stop talking about Tim Tebow as a TE.  It's not going to happen.
 
FA options out there are Dallas Clark, Kevin Boss, Shiancoe, and Daniel Graham among others.
 
Not Tim Tebow.  Tim Tebow is a QB.

 
Well, regardless, whomever they sign is going to cost far less than Aaron Hernandez did.

 

[teddykgb]

David Stern has blocked the release on the grounds that it was the murder that caused the Patriots to make the decision.

 
Bravo.  Sadly, I considered checking ESPN for a second to make sure you were joking.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

  Traditionally linked, but not required.  Do you realize how often people are actually arrested without being charged?

Trying to break into a tow lot after their car has been towed. Sure, many times.
 
Oregano and Basil.
 
Edit: Sorry, DBMH, I feel sorry for those who had him in a keeper league.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

FML. This means I will have to start Martellus Bennett in week one now!

 

[Otis Foster]

An unusual initial choice of a lawyer. Michael Fee is a white collar crime guy (and a world-class one) but his biography doesn't suggest he's spent much time on homicide cases. http://www.ropesgray.com/biographies/f/michael-k-fee.aspx. It's  little late in the day to bring in a real specialist like James Sultan.  

 

[boca]

Cody Normand ‏@Cody_Normand6m
Very reliable source saying Hernandez will indeed be charged with murder. More info will be out later along with an official statement.

 

[knucklecup]

Cody Normand ‏@Cody_Normand6m
Very reliable source saying Hernandez will indeed be charged with murder. More info will be out later along with an official statement.

 
Who is Cody Normand and why would he know more information than everybody else?

 

[mandro ramtinez]

This is ridiculous and a terrible overreaction.  What ever happened to the presumption of innocence?
 
Sacrificing the strength on the team on the field in order to avoid a POTENTIALLY messy situation is incredibly discouraging as a fan of the sport.  This bullshit Boy Scout attitude that the Pats take is a complete farce.  

Your lunacy has been thoroughly debunked here but I have to point out that no private employer owes its employee a presumption of innocence on any criminal matters. The state and jury owe him that but the Patriots are more than justified to release him now.

 

[AbbyNoho]

Can we all just stop posting tweets from "very reliable sources"? They're wrong much more often than they are right. I thought we learned that after the Marathon.

 

[PeaceSignMoose]

Sam Sutter is going to crush this guy.

 

[ZP1]

Sam Sutter is going to crush this guy.

 
http://www.bristolda.com/DA/Home.htm
 
With that crappy of a website, you know 100% of his resources are dedicated to crushing crime. Or... something like that. 

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Hmm, means he wasn't expecting to be arrested at that point then. Gotta agree with everyone else that he's getting at least accessory to murder.

 
It actually tells us a lot.  In these types of situations, where a suspect is known to everyone, has attorneys that are known to police and authorities, they are almost always given the opportunity to turn themselves in at a pre-set time.  I'd be shocked if the cops didn't tell Hernandez' lawyers that the warrant was issued, and he could turn himself in, and instead, it went down like this.  Seems to me that from day 1, Hernandez hasn't remotely cooperated with authorities, right up until the end.  Alternatively, the police could have been so pissed at his lack of cooperation that they decided to not give him a head's up and show up at his front door and take him down like any common criminal.  Either way, it says a LOT about Hernandez' relationship with the authorities at this point in time.  It leads to one of two conclusions:  He's either a complete asshole who decided to protect others above himself and his life and career, or he is completely involved in the crime and thus, had nothing to offer that wouldn't end up screwing him anyway. 
 
Too bad.  As a season ticket holder, I applaud the Pats for the decisiveness of this move.  I don't see any way that this comes out positive for the team, and cutting ties now is the smartest play from what I can tell.

 

[PeaceSignMoose]

http://www.bristolda.com/DA/Home.htm
 
With that crappy of a website, you know 100% of his resources are dedicated to crushing crime. Or... something like that. 

 
Website blows, for sure.  But the guy ran for Congress last year.  Unsuccessful, but he ran nonetheless.  It's been no secret that he's had bigger things in mind recently.  Got a strange feeling he's going to use this as an opportunity for some major notoriety.  That's why I say he's going to (at least try) to crush him.
 
Also, all circumstantial, and may not have anything to do with anything, but my fiancee who is an ADA in Bristol County has gone dark for the day.  Sent me a text earlier saying she is off the grid until she gets home from work tonight.   
 
Edit:  That's why I think anybody who says they know what the charges are, are full of shit.

 

[RhaegarTharen]

I saw that he's being arraigned in District Court.  Wouldn't he be arraigned in Superior Court if he's being charged with a felony?

 
I thought this was a great question, so I cross-posted to the V&N thread (where more lawyers hang out) and got this response (from nsalon):
 

Murder arraignments can occur in District Court.

 
So...so much for that theory. 

 

[Traut]

It actually tells us a lot.  In these types of situations, where a suspect is known to everyone, has attorneys that are known to police and authorities, they are almost always given the opportunity to turn themselves in at a pre-set time.  I'd be shocked if the cops didn't tell Hernandez' lawyers that the warrant was issued, and he could turn himself in, and instead, it went down like this.  Seems to me that from day 1, Hernandez hasn't remotely cooperated with authorities, right up until the end.  Alternatively, the police could have been so pissed at his lack of cooperation that they decided to not give him a head's up and show up at his front door and take him down like any common criminal.  Either way, it says a LOT about Hernandez' relationship with the authorities at this point in time.  It leads to one of two conclusions:  He's either a complete asshole who decided to protect others above himself and his life and career, or he is completely involved in the crime and thus, had nothing to offer that wouldn't end up screwing him anyway. 
 
Too bad.  As a season ticket holder, I applaud the Pats for the decisiveness of this move.  I don't see any way that this comes out positive for the team, and cutting ties now is the smartest play from what I can tell.

 
Death, I asked a detective about this. He said Hernandez pissed off the cops. He said that even on homicide charges - lawyers and law enforcement frequently arrange for surrender. He does not believe Hernandez nor his attorneys knew the arrest was coming. He also cited the smashed cell phone and surveillance system as grounds enough for the cops to get pissed enough to perp walk him out of his home.

 

[ZP1]

Website blows, for sure.  But the guy ran for Congress last year.  Unsuccessful, but he ran nonetheless.  It's been no secret that he's had bigger things in mind recently.  Got a strange feeling he's going to use this as an opportunity for some major notoriety.  That's why I say he's going to (at least try) to crush him.
 
Also, all circumstantial, and may not have anything to do with anything, but my fiancee who is an ADA in Bristol County has gone dark for the day.  Sent me a text earlier saying she is off the grid until she gets home from work tonight.   

 
Interesting.   Bad news for Hernandez if Sutter is going to treat this as a centerpiece case for his career. And for the record, my last post was entirely snark directed at the website and wasn't meant to imply anything negative about Sutter himself. 

 

[loshjott]

"Charges" are traditionally linked to "being arrested."

 
Gitmo excepted.

 

[Section15Box113]

WBZ: "multiple charges" coming.

 

[Otis Foster]

It actually tells us a lot.  In these types of situations, where a suspect is known to everyone, has attorneys that are known to police and authorities, they are almost always given the opportunity to turn themselves in at a pre-set time.  I'd be shocked if the cops didn't tell Hernandez' lawyers that the warrant was issued, and he could turn himself in, and instead, it went down like this.  Seems to me that from day 1, Hernandez hasn't remotely cooperated with authorities, right up until the end.  Alternatively, the police could have been so pissed at his lack of cooperation that they decided to not give him a head's up and show up at his front door and take him down like any common criminal.  Either way, it says a LOT about Hernandez' relationship with the authorities at this point in time.  It leads to one of two conclusions:  He's either a complete asshole who decided to protect others above himself and his life and career, or he is completely involved in the crime and thus, had nothing to offer that wouldn't end up screwing him anyway. 
 
Too bad.  As a season ticket holder, I applaud the Pats for the decisiveness of this move.  I don't see any way that this comes out positive for the team, and cutting ties now is the smartest play from what I can tell.

 
This. Although PeaceSignMoose's comment might suggest the DA is a publicity-seeking jerk who told the cops to give him the perp walk even though Fee/Sultan offered to bring him in voluntarily. It's inconceivable to me that someone who knows he'll be arrested would pull a sit-down strike. One way or the other, you're going to be booked and charged, so you might as well do it the easy way - unless you weren't given that option.

 

[edoug]

Lloyd's family is there, 

 

[Corsi]

Live coverage on FOX 25: http://www.myfoxboston.com/category/238628/click-here-to-watch-fox-25-morning-news