DA: Second Aaron Hernandez Trial Likely To Begin This Fall
BOSTON (CBS) – The prosecutor in the Boston double murder case allegedly involving Aaron Hernandez said on Friday that the trial is likely to get underway no later than this fall.
Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley said that while Hernandez has already been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Odin Lloyd, it is still important to proceed with the double murder trial.
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Daniel Abreu, 29, and Safiro Furtado, 28, were killed when someone fired at the BMW they were in near the corner of Herald Street and Shawmut Avenue in Boston during the early hours of July 16, 2012.
Prosecutors have said Hernandez was the gunman, killing the men because he felt disrespected over a spilled drink.
"In our case, we have two innocent victims who were out for a nice evening and enjoying themselves. Then our allegation is that Aaron Hernandez murdered them," Conley said on Friday. "And their families deserve every bit of justice that any family deserves, no matter the fact that Aaron Hernandez was convicted down in Bristol (County)."
Conley said he wanted to start the trial earlier, but it made sense to give attorneys several months to prepare because they are coming off of a long case.
Hernandez was found guilty of first degree murder for Lloyd's death on Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Conley said he is confident in the ability to find an impartial jury despite the high profile nature of the case. Hernandez is a former member of the New England Patriots.
The District Attorney added that it was encouraging to hear that jurors in the first Hernandez trial said after the verdict that they had no prior knowledge of the Boston double murder.
"The victims' families have suffered long enough," said Conley.
"These families absolutely deserve our very best efforts and they'll get it."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports