Aaron Hernandez Seeks Evidence Suppressed Due To 'Unlawful Police Interrogation'
BOSTON (CBS) – In a motion to suppress evidence filed this week in Bristol Superior Court, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez said he felt "like a suspect" when "confrontational" police entered his home last year during their investigation into the death of Odin Lloyd.
The lawyers for Hernandez, who is charged with the 2013 murder of his former friend Lloyd, filed a motion to suppress evidence gained during what they call an "unlawful police interrogation" inside the former tight end's home.
Hernandez said in the motion that on June 18, 2013, police entered his North Attleboro home and questioned him about Lloyd's murder, even though he claims he had previously told police that any questions should be asked through his lawyers.
"I know that my attorneys told the police the night before that they should contact them, not me, with any questions, but police ignored that, too," said Hernandez in the motion, which he signed on Friday.
"I felt helpless in the face of the occupation of my house by the police. I was also very concerned about what would happen to my fiancé and our baby if I refused to answer their questions. I did not feel free to leave at any time during the search."
On June 26, 2013, another search warrant was executed by police at Hernandez's Franklin apartment. During that investigation officers searched Hernandez's Hummer, seeking any and all ammunition inside.
Defense attorneys are asking the judge to throw that evidence out as well, stating that probable cause was not established before their search.
Earlier this month, Herandez's attorneys asked for phone evidence to be suppressed, saying state police didn't have a warrant to take it after his arrest.
Hernandez is scheduled for an October trial in Lloyd's death in addition to a May trial in a Boston double murder.
According to Hernandez's claims, when police entered his home, his rights were violated.
"The night before when the police came to my house, they had a very confrontational manner. Even when I tried to end the conversation and told them to contact my lawyers, they persisted in trying to question me. They made me feel like I was a suspect."
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