Hernandez Denied Bail, Possibly Linked to 2012 Unsolved Murder

Aaron Hernandez will return to the Bristol County House of Correction after a Fall River judge denied his appeal for bail.

Lawyers for Hernandez argued that Hernandez’s position as a North Attleboro home owner, a father, and fiancé to his longtime girlfriend should allow him to post bail and at least wear a GPS device, stay at home under house arrest, and turn in his passport.

Repeating what was said yesterday at the arraignment, Jamie Sultan, an attorney for Hernandez said that they believed that Hernandez was not a risk to flee due to the media attention placed on him make it near impossible to for him to escape trial.

"Mr. Hernandez does not pose any risk of flight. Even if he wanted to run somewhere, it’s a practical manner than he couldn’t do so," Sultan said.

Bristol County Assistant D.A. William McCauley brought more evidence against Hernandez to light, explaining that three boxes of 45-caliber ammo were found yesterday during a search of a Franklin condo leased in Hernandez’s name. The ammo matched the kind found at the scene of the murder.

Responding to claims by the defense that Hernandez has cooperated with the investigation, McCauley claimed that Hernandez called his girlfriend to stop talking to police. The prosecution also said that Hernandez attempted to destroyed home surveillance cameras and rented a new vehicle in order to help two associates allegedly with him during the murder flee the state.

Speaking to defense, Judge Renee Dupuie wanted to know why the defense were seeking bail for a first degree murder charge when they also wanted to be treated no differently than any other defendant.

“It’s very very rare where a first-degree murder gets a release,” Duprie said.

Sultan argued that Hernandez deserved bail due to his lack of a criminal record, unlike others charged where murder may have previous arrests. 

Due to the circumstances of the case, the fact that Hernandez has the means to flee, and the charges, Duprie chose to deny the appeal for bail.  The judge also commented that the evidence against Hernandez was, “Circumstantial, but a very very strong circumstantial case.”

In addition to not getting bail, a second arrest was made in connection to the murder of Odin Lloyd. Carlos Ortiz was arrested by Bristol, Conn. police on a fugitive from justice charge and is being held on $1.5 million bail in Hartford.

Multiple media outlets are also reporting that Hernandez is being investigated in connection to an unsolved double homicide in 2012.

In July 2012, a SUV pulled up to the intersection of Shawmut and Herald Streets in Boston and shot two men. Authorities are investigating if Hernandez is connection to the unsolved murder.