NFL Star Aaron Hernandez Charged With Murder

New England Patriots released Hernandez ahead of murder charges.

ByABC News
June 26, 2013, 9:14 AM

June 26, 2013— -- Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez was charged with murder today for allegedly shooting and killing his friend, Odin Lloyd, 11 days ago.

Hernandez, who was taken out of his house in handcuffs this morning, appeared in gym shorts and a white T-shirt during his arraignment in Bristol County district court today. He remained silent as prosecutors read aloud the six charges he faces, including murder and weapons charges, and described the investigation into Lloyd's death.

Prosecutors said they pieced together the night of Lloyd's death using surveillance video culled from the area and cellphone records. Lloyd's body was found June 17.

Prosecutors outlined a potential timeline of Hernandez's allegedly driving to Lloyd's home, picking him up, driving him back to North Attleborough, and allegedly firing two bullets at Lloyd, age 27.

Lloyd's family members appeared in court, escorted by Massachusetts State Police.

Hernandez was ordered held without bail and will be taken to the Bristol County House of Correction, despite his lawyer's insistence that he is no flight risk.

"We ask for the defendant to be evaluated on the merits and on the strength of this case, and it is a circumstantial case, if the court separates the facts from the inferences, you'll see it's circumstantial," Hernandez's defense attorney said at the hearing.

"The defendant has never been accused of a violent crime, he is a resident of North Attleborough, has been a resident of North Attleborough, lives in domestic partnership in that home with his small baby and his girlfriend, his fiancée, and deserves to be home on the conditions of bail. There is no risk of flight."

Hernandez arrived in court in the back of a North Attleborough, Mass., police car. As he arrived, a fan waiting outside the courthouse shouted, "Free Aaron Hernandez."

He was arrested earlier today, around 8:45 a.m., at his $1.7 million mansion in North Attleborough, Mass., about a mile away from where Lloyd's body was found.

Shortly after the arrest, around 10:30 a.m., the Patriots announced they were releasing Hernandez from the team, calling it "the right thing to do."

Watch Cops Search the Home of Patriots Star Aaron Hernandez

"A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss," the statement said. "Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation.

"We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do."

Read About the Arrest Warrant Issued for Aaron Hernandez

Both the NFL and Massachusetts state police told ABC News they had no comment on Hernandez's arrest. The district attorney is expected to talk about the case with reporters after court this afternoon.

Hernandez has been at the center of the investigation since Lloyd's body was found shot in the back of the head in a scrubby clearing of an industrial park roughly a mile from the Patriots star's $1.7 million mansion.