Hernandez judge gives the green-light to jurors.
It has been a year and a half since disgraced New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested in connection with the murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. Since then, he has also been charged in connection with a double homicide that took place in 2012. Having spent the entire time behind bars after being denied bail, the trial for the double murder began this past Thursday (January 29th). With Super Bowl XLIX taking place tonight, pitting his former team the New England Patriots against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, fans in the Boston area will be glued to the screen.
Ironically enough, Hernandez was the leading receiver in Super Bowl back in 2012 when the Patriots fell short to the New York Giants. That telecast aired on NBC, as will tonights big game, making Judge Susan Garsh wary of allowing the jurors in the trial to view the matchup. Jurors in a trial are always forbidden from receiving outside information pertaining to those being tried, in fear that it may sway their judgement. The ultimate fear for Garsh is whether those commenting on the contest will mention Hernandez at any point in the game.
Despite the circumstances, Judge Garsh gave jurors the green-light to watch the game.
“I am not going to forbid you from watching the Super Bowl if that’s something that’s really important to you,” she said.
But the judge closed the second day of testimony by advising jurors to be vigilant for mention of Hernandez, who helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl XLVI nearly three years ago.
“You hear that word, you’ve got to walk out of the room,” Garsh said. “Distance yourself.”
Despite the decision, Hernandez will not be allowed to watch the game.
