Aaron Hernandez Requests Transfer Out Of Bristol County Jail
BOSTON (CBS) – Former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez is demanding a transfer out of the Bristol County Jail. Hernandez says he wants to be held closer to Boston and is also complaining about Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson.
The motion cites the long distance that his Boston-based lawyers must travel to work with Hernandez to prepare his defense. Hernandez's attorneys say, "He needs to be held in a facility that does not require his counsel to drive from two, up to three to four hours round-trip each time they need to meet with him."
The motion also accuses Sheriff Hodgson of collecting evidence for the prosecution. His attorneys say Hodgson, "Abandoned his role as a professional jailer, and instead, energetically embraced a role as a full-time agent of the District Attorney."
There are also safety concerns. The attorneys say it's not safe at the Bristol County Jail because Hernandez is now accused of threatening to kill a guard there. "The Sheriff clearly has an actual conflict of interest," his attorneys say. "While charged with ensuring Hernandez's safety and well-being as a pretrial detainee, the Sheriff is now Hernandez's accused and alleged victim."
Hernandez faces murder charges in the 2013 slaying of Odin Lloyd in North Attleboro as well as a separate case in which he is accused of gunning down two men in Boston in 2012. He has pleaded not guilty in each case and is being held without bail.
Sheriff Tom Hodgson tells WBZ the allegations made by Hernandez's attorneys are "completely outrageous." Hodgson says, "We've gone to extra lengths to make sure since he's a high profile person that he's protected and he's not put in vulnerable positions."
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