DEVELOPING: Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots star tight end, was convicted Wednesday of first degree murder in the killing Odin Lloyd in June 2013.
Hernandez, 25, looked to his right and pursed his lips after the jury forewoman read the verdict. The first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole in the slaying of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old landscaper and amateur weekend football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee.
Hernandez's mother, Terri, and his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, cried and gasped when they heard the verdict. Shayanna Jenkins wept on his mother's shoulder. Hernandez later mouthed to them: "Be strong. Be strong."
The former football pro was also found guilty on firearm and ammunition charges.
Hernandez's lawyer acknowledged during closing arguments that he was there when Lloyd was killed. But he pinned the shooting on Hernandez's two friends, saying his client was a 23-year-old kid who didn't know what to do.
Prosecutors said Hernandez planned the killing and then helped cover it up.
Prosecutors presented a wealth of evidence that Hernandez was with Lloyd at the time he was killed, including home security video from Hernandez's mansion, witness testimony and cellphone records that tracked Lloyd's movements.
The conviction carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/15/verdict-reached-in-aaron-hernandez-murder-trial/
