Patriots Named In Wrongful Death Suit Against Aaron Hernandez
BOSTON (CBS/AP) - The New England Patriots and Kraft Enterprises are named as co-defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit against former Patriot tight end Aaron Hernandez.
The suit is related to the July 2012 South End double murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado.
Related: Hernandez Arraigned In Double Murder
William T. Kennedy, the attorney representing the victims' families, wants more than $3 million owed to Hernandez from the Patriots.
Prosecutors say Hernandez ambushed and gunned down the men after a chance encounter inside a nightclub weeks before he signed a five-year, $40 million contract and went on to catch 51 passes and score five touchdowns during the 2012 NFL season.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty in those murders.
Kennedy also seeks to freeze Hernandez's assets, which his attorneys oppose. A Patriots spokesman declined to comment.
Related: Aaron Hernandez Coverage
Similar steps were taken in a lawsuit by the family of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd, whose body was found in an industrial area near Hernandez's home in North Attleboro and whom Hernandez denied killing in 2013.
The Patriots have agreed in that case to notify the court before paying Hernandez.
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