Pool photo by Ted Fitzgerald The Boston Herald
WPRO News and The Associated Press
Aaron Hernandez was once one of the New England Patriots’ biggest stars. A tight end who caught passes from Tom Brady and helped land his team a spot in the Super Bowl, he had a $40 million contract and fans willing to shell out $100 apiece for jerseys bearing his name and team number: 81.
On Friday, he goes on trial for murder.
Those jerseys have been banned from the courthouse by the judge, a reflection of the sensitivity of the case and the intense interest in it.
Hernandez is accused of killing 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, a semiprofessional football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancee.
More than 1,000 potential jurors are expected to fill out questionnaires Friday, Monday and Tuesday.
