nfl
Prosecutors in Hernandez case given an extension
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – A judge on Wednesday gave prosecutors more time to present evidence to a grand jury in their murder case against former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.
Hernandez was in court for what was supposed to be a probable cause hearing, but prosecutors said the grand jury still is considering the evidence against him.
Judge Daniel O’Shea considered defense objections to a delay but decided to reschedule the hearing for Aug. 22. Hernandez will continue to be held without bail until then.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in the death of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old Boston semi-professional football player whose body was found June 17 in an industrial park near Hernandez’s home. He had been shot five times.
Bristol County Assistant District Attorney William McCauley said additional evidence includes boxes of ammunition found at a condominium Hernandez leased and a magazine for a .45-caliber Glock in a Hummer registered to him. Authorities say Lloyd was killed with a .45-caliber gun, though it apparently has not been recovered. McCauley said the ammunition box had Hernandez’s fingerprints on it.
Hernandez attorney James Sultan objected to the delay, saying his client already has been jailed for four weeks and that the district attorney could have waited to bring charges but chose to go ahead last month.
Belichick talks Hernandez in first presser of camp
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A grim-faced coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday the New England Patriots will learn from the “terrible experience” of Aaron Hernandez’s arrest on a murder charge and work to improve their player evaluation process.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the tight end was arrested four weeks earlier, Belichick said he was “shocked and disappointed” to learn of the criminal investigation while he was out of the United States.
He also sought to minimize future attention on the case.
“My comments are certainly not in proportion to the unfortunate and sad situation that we have here, but I’ve been advised to address the subject once, and it’s time for the New England Patriots to move forward,” Belichick said. “Moving forward consists of what it’s always been here – to build a winning football team, to be a strong pillar in the community and be a team that our fans can be proud of.
“I’m not trying to make this story disappear, but I respect the judicial process and have been advised not to comment on ongoing legal proceedings. I’m advising our players to do the same things.”
The Patriots cut Hernandez after he was arrested the morning of June 26 and before he was charged that afternoon. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty.
Players are scheduled to report to training camp today when quarterback Tom Brady and the five other captains from last season will be available to reporters. The first practice is scheduled for Friday.
mlb
Rodriguez’s doctor reprimanded earlier this year
TAMPA, Fla. – A doctor retained by Alex Rodriguez for a second opinion – one that contradicted the New York Yankees’ diagnosis of his leg injury Wednesday – was reprimanded this year by New Jersey’s board of medical examiners over steroid prescriptions.
Rodriguez is one of more than a dozen players under investigation by Major League Baseball for alleged ties to a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs.
The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners filed an order of reprimand against Dr. Michael Gross on Feb. 13 for his conduct at his Active Center for Health & Wellness.
The orthopedist was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay $10,000 in costs.
The New York Daily News first reported the reprimand Wednesday and said MLB would expand its drug probe to examine Rodriguez’s relationship with Gross.
Associated Press
