Hellobee Boards

I do think there is some level of arrogance in those who play professional sports and that can also be found in criminals that they won't get caught because they are too smart. It's a shame this guy was killed.

@mediagirl: I'm with you in that he won the life lottery. More money than you'd ever need, playing for one of the best teams/coaches in the NFL (with the best fans if I do say so! ) and then, even if he DIDN'T murder the man, there was enough evidence surroundimg a murder to get you charged with it. It's so sad. Why be such a thug? I just don't get it.

Also, it's been nonstop in the news up here (since he is a Pats player and the murder happened nearby) but some people are pissed because there have been several homicides recently, including a double homicide in my hometown, and there is only so much media coverage because of who he is/was.

@MrsSCB: Whether or not bail is denied has nothing to do with how "good" a case appears to be.

@mrbee: I agree. I loathe trial by media! Innocent or guilty, there is a process of adjudication that MUST be honored and respected because the accused stands to pay the ultimate price . . . losing his freedom.

@bpcmarj: Regarding the additional media coverage . . . exactly. It really skews the story for the rest of the country.

@MrsSCB: At this point, there has certainly been no trial, nor has AH even had a chance to defend himself. Until then, nothing is considered evidence (it all has to go through a vetting process). His resources and prior behavior are certainly considerations for bail, I don't dispute that, but the (relative) strength or weakness of the prosecution's case has yet to even begun to be determined.

ETA: Nothing is considered evidence such that it would be presented to a jury for the purposes of determining innocence or guilt.

@mediagirl: Yeah, I know that's the way it is. But that doesn't make it okay. While we can control what we do, what we can't control is what we are accused of doing. And as we as adults know, accusations can have no basis in logic or fact, and yet, they remain intact until someone has gone through the lengthy process of proving their innocence (as opposed to being innocent until proven guilty). No matter what the outcome of this case is, AH's life has forever been changed, and not for the better. The stigma will last forever . . . and will even haunt his child.

@MrsSCB: What I am getting at is that your original statement "It sounds like they must have a pretty good case against them if they're denying him bail" is inaccurate . . . the judge does not consider the strength or likelihood of success of the prosecution in determining whether or not someone should be released on bail. Bail can be denied or granted for a multitude of reasons that have nothing to do with what the prosecution is, initially, setting forth as its basis of proof, as such *proof* or *evidence* has not yet been subjected to the tests necessary to determine whether such proof would be admissible at trial/ presented to a jury. As an attorney, I can say that there are many reasons why evidence/testimony is never presented at trial, and would not be proper for presentation to a jury. A denial of bail is not cause to make assumptions regarding the *strength* of a case. This is, unfortunately, a common misconception.

Wow, this is a pretty crazy update: http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/06/27/former-patriots-player-aaron-hernandez-probed-two-more-murders-law-enforcement-officials-say/0GPNwDdsU4nguqnB2LADYM/story.html

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Understanding that the past cannot be changed, going forward, we should (from a legal perspective) strive to prevent any further unnecessary consequences . . . and in this case, Massachusetts does not have the death penalty, so AH would be paying the ultimate price according to state law.

ETA: In my opinion (although I am sure it is not shared by all), a loss of freedom is akin to a loss of life.

@mediagirl: Wow, yeah that's crazy! I had no idea it was so complex, but now that I think about it, it makes sense.