Aaron Hernandez, Tipster Had Sexually Explicit Relationship, Claims Prosecutor

A tipster who said that a member of the jury that convicted Aaron Hernandez of murdering Odin Lloyd was untruthful during the pretrial selection allegedly had a "sexually explicit relationship" with the former New England Patriots tight end.

"(T)he Commonwealth has also learned that 'Katy' hasn't simply been in personal contact with the defendant," prosecutors wrote in a motion filed Monday, according to Bob McGovern of the Boston Herald. "She had an ongoing sexually explicit relationship with the defendant prior to and during the trial."

"Katy," as she's known in court documents, told Hernandez defense attorney James Sultan that an unnamed juror "may have" lied during jury selection. If a judge finds "Katy" to be a viable witness and the juror is shown to have been less than truthful, it could open up the possibility of a new trial.

Hernandez, 25, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2013 death of Lloyd, a semipro football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee. In Massachusetts, a first-degree murder conviction automatically results in a life sentence without parole. Hernandez is appealing the conviction.

Sultan, in helping Hernandez with the appeal, has pushed to question "Katy" under oath. Prosecutors have asked the judge hearing the case to deny the motion. Lead prosecutor William McCauley called the claims "implausible" and said her testimony would be tainted due to her relationship with Hernandez. 

"A Massachusetts judge says a lawyer for former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez can't question under oath an anonymous tipster who raised concerns about a juror in the murder case," reported The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh ruled Monday that such a step is premature."

Even if Hernandez is granted a new trial in the Lloyd case, he still faces charges for a 2012 double murder in Boston. That trial is currently on hold while his appeal is being heard.

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