Aaron Hernandez Trial: Defense of Former Patriots TE Rests

The defense in the murder trial of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez rested its case Monday. Hernandez has been charged with first-degree murder for the alleged killing of Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancee. He pleaded not guilty in September 2013.

Michele Steele of ESPN reported on the news from Monday:

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com) noted that the defense called only three witnesses before resting its case. 

According to the AP, one witness was Dr. David Greenblatt, a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. He “testified about the effects of PCP” because Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace, the two co-defendants, were reportedly seen smoking it during the days before the June 17, 2013 killing of Lloyd.

CBS News and the AP noted that Greenblatt "testified Monday that PCP can cause people to be suddenly violent, even days after smoking it."

Steele offered the prosecution's response to the first defense witness:

The prosecution also responded by showing surveillance video of Hernandez and the two co-defendants before and immediately after the killing. In the video, they do not appear to be acting strangely or as if they were under the influence of PCP.

Per the report from the AP, the two other defense witnesses provided testimony “related to DNA on a shell casing found inside a silver Nissan Altima that Hernandez rented, which prosecutors say he used to drive Lloyd to his death.”

Hernandez’s DNA was found on the shell casing during testing, but that shell casing was also found with chewed bubble gum. The defense’s argument was that the DNA on the shell casing came from the gum. 

Steele also pointed out that there was a surprise late in the proceedings Monday:

The prosecution rested its case back on Thursday, April 2, after spending more than two months calling up 131 witnesses since the opening of testimony on Jan. 29. Among the witnesses was New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. 

Steele shared the defense motion the day that the prosecution rested its case:

"

Hernandez lawyers file motion for court to find him "not guilty" based on the following: pic.twitter.com/FALlwSa5PA

— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) April 2, 2015"

Steele also provided the wrap-up quote from the judge after the defense rested its case Monday: 

Per the AP report, closing arguments are expected to be delivered Tuesday.