Aaron Hernandez's Friend, Ernest Wallace, Found Not Guilty of Murder

Ernest Wallace, who was a friend of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, was found not guilty of the murder of Odin Lloyd, per Jay Hart of Yahoo Sports.  

Though Wallace was “found guilty of being an accessory to the murder,” Hart called the sentencing “a victory” for the defendant.

Wallace was reportedly with Hernandez on the same night the former tight end killed Lloyd—who was dating the sister of the former Patriot’s fiancee—and has been in jail since 2013. He was given four-and-half-to-seven years in prison Thursday, but “he could be out as soon as next year” because he was given credit for his time served, per Hart.

Hernandez is serving a life sentence after he was found guilty of murdering Lloyd.

Hart noted prosecutors argued Wallace knew Hernandez planned on committing the act and “pointed to 34 phone communications between Wallace and Hernandez in the 24 hours leading up to the murder as evidence.”

Hart also wrote Wallace drove with Hernandez to where Lloyd was staying the night the murder occurred.

Hernandez played for the Patriots from 2010 to 2012 and tallied 1,956 receiving yards and 18 touchdown catches as a threat alongside Rob Gronkowski in New England’s two-tight end looks. The Patriots reached the Super Bowl in the 2011 season with Hernandez but lost to the New York Giants.