Aaron Hernandez will face trial beginning Jan. 9 in the slaying of Odin Lloyd. Several developments on Friday brought the case closer to its beginning.
A new prosecutor was named for the case to be tried in Fall River, Mass., according to media reports. And at hearing Hernandez asked the just to allow his mother and fiancée to attend the trial.
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Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, will be on trial to avoid life in prison when jury selection begins. He faces a murder charge in the 2013 shooting death of associate Odin Lloyd. The trial begins witn jury selections, likely followed in a week to 10 days by the start of testimony.
The biggest development Friday involved a change in the state's lead attorney in the case. Sam Sutter, who has been the Bristol County district attorney, had to step aside after being elected mayor of Fall River.
In his place, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick named Sutter's top assistant, Thomas M. Quinn III, the lead prosecutor.
Hernandez defenders want Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh to lift an other banning Terri Valentine Hernandez and Shayannah Jenkins. Both are under a sequestration order issued last month, according to The Hartford Courant.
Defense attorneys also asked the court to allow the jury to view Hernandez's home in North Attleboro, Mass., The Boston Herald reported.
Sutter recommended Quinn take over the case, CBS Boston reported. The choice was widely supported in the district attorney's office.
“It is very important for the office on the eve of one of the most highly publicized trials in the country,” Sutter said in a statement.
Sutter was sworn in as Fall River mayor on Tuesday, having won the post in a January recall election.
Quinn will serve for now. Patrick is leaving office and, CBS Boston reported, his successor could decide to replace Quinn.
Hernandez was arrested in June 2013 after Lloyd's body was discovered in a construction area new North Attleboro. Lloyd had been shot five times. He also faces charged in two 2012 slayings. The Patriots released Hernandez after his arrest.
In addition to the two slaying cases, totaling 16 criminal charges, Hernandez faces charges from incidents while being jailed.
Hernandez's mother and fiancée testified before a grand jury in the Lloyd slaying case. They are potential witnesses.