NFL SCANDAL

Hernandez Set to Appear in Court

Former NFL star charged in slaying of his friend.

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez will appear in court Thursday to appeal a judge’s order that he be held without bail—after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of his friend Odin Lloyd. The case against Hernandez was based, in part, on the victim’s final text messages. At 3:07 a.m. on June 17, Lloyd texted his sister, “Did you see who I was with?” When she asked, “Who?” He replied, “NFL. Just so you know.” Roughly 16 minutes after sending that first text, Lloyd was shot to death in what prosecutors are arguing was an “execution-style shooting,” orchestrated by Hernandez. A judge handed the 23-year-old football player—who was cut from his team merely hours after his arrest—five weapons charges Wednesday on top of a murder charge. If convicted, he may face life in prison.