Overview of the Case Timeline
Aaron Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder on June 22, 2015, for the shooting death of Odin Lloyd. The case drew national attention due to Hernandez’s status as a New England Patriots star at the time of arrest. This verified timeline outlines the key dates, rulings, and outcomes from investigation through final resolution, focusing on judicial records and appeals decisions rather than speculation. Below is a structured breakdown of relevant phases, evidentiary rulings, and consequential dates.
Indictment and Pre-Trial Events
May 2013: Arrest and Initial Charges
Hernandez was arrested on June 26, 2013, and indicted on first-degree murder charges on May 1, 2014. The indictment followed a grand jury review of evidence related to the June 17, 2013, shooting of Odin Lloyd in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Early rulings addressed evidence suppression motions, including debates over digital evidence and surveillance footage.
- June 26, 2013: Hernandez arrested and booked
- May 1, 2014: Indicted on first-degree murder and related charges
- Key Issue: Admissibility of digital evidence and wiretap materials
Trial and Conviction
January 9, 2015: Trial Begins
The trial commenced with jury selection on January 9, 2015, in Fall River, Massachusetts. Prosecutors presented cell phone records, surveillance video, and witness testimony linking Hernandez to the crime scene. The defense challenged forensic methods and sought to limit digital evidence. On June 10, 2015, the jury was selected, and opening statements began.
June 22, 2015: Conviction
After approximately eight weeks of trial, the jury deliberated for about seven hours over three days before reaching a verdict. Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder, as well as five firearm-related charges. Judge Susan Garsh sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the mandatory sentence for first-degree murder in Massachusetts at the time.
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2013 | Arrest | Initiated the legal process; high-profile due to Hernandez’s NFL status |
| May 1, 2014 | Indictment | Formal charge of first-degree murder; set stage for trial |
| January 9, 2015 | Trial Start | Jury selection began; evidentiary hearings framed later proceedings |
| June 10, 2015 | Jury Selection Complete | Opening statements began; marked full trial start |
| June 22, 2015 | Conviction | First-degree murder verdict; life sentence imposed |
Subsequent Legal Proceedings
2017: Murder Conviction Overturned on Technicality
In 2017, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturned Hernandez’s murder conviction and life sentence due to jurisdictional errors. The court ruled that the trial judge should not have allowed the case to proceed while Hernandez was also facing murder charges in a separate 2012 double homicide in Boston. As a result, the 2015 murder conviction was vacated, and the case was remanded for a second trial. The firearm charges remained intact following this ruling.
2018: Retrial and Final Conviction
Retrial began in March 2018, again in Fall River. The same jury that convicted him in 2015 was again empaneled. On March 1, 2018, the jury reached a guilty verdict on the first-degree murder charge. Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on March 2, 2018, reaffirming the original punishment. This conviction survived subsequent appeals.
April 19, 2013: Civil Lawsuit Judgment
In a separate civil case brought by Odin Lloyd’s family, Hernandez was found liable for wrongful death. On April 19, 2013, before his criminal conviction, a civil jury awarded $14 million in damages. This judgment is independent of the criminal proceedings and addressed civil liability rather than criminal guilt.
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| April 19, 2013 | Civil Judgment | $14 million wrongful death award; established liability before criminal trial |
| June 22, 2015 | First Conviction | Vacated in 2017 due to jurisdictional issue |
| 2017 | Supreme Judicial Court Ruling | Vacated murder conviction; ordered retrial on that count |
| March 1, 2018 | Retrial Conviction | Guilty on first-degree murder; sentenced to life without parole |
| April 2017 | Firearm Charges Upheld | Separate firearm convictions remained valid post-appeal |
Post-Conviction Status and Death
Hernandez remained incarcerated from his arrest in 2013 through his death. While serving his sentence at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster, Massachusetts, he was found unresponsive in his cell on April 19, 2017, and was later pronounced dead. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. At the time of his death, he was serving his life sentence for the 2018 retrial conviction. The 2017 Supreme Judicial Court decision to vacate the first conviction meant that his final murder conviction stemmed from the 2018 retrial.
Legal and Contextual Takeaways
The Aaron Hernandez case illustrates how procedural rulings can reshape trial strategy and outcomes. The 2017 vacatur emphasized jurisdictional conflicts in trying multiple murder charges within the same judicial region. The retrial in 2018 reaffirmed the conviction using similar evidence, underscoring the strength of the prosecution’s case. Key evidentiary issues—digital data, jury selection, and sentencing mandates—remain instructive for future high-profile criminal cases. Understanding these phases helps clarify why certain dates, such as the June 22, 2015, conviction and the March 2018 retrial outcome, are central to the public record.
Conclusion
Aaron Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder on June 22, 2015, a verdict that was vacated in 2017 and upheld again after a March 2018 retrial. His legal journey involved multiple hearings, a civil wrongful-death judgment, and a final life sentence without the possibility of parole. By focusing on court records and appellate decisions, this verified timeline separates definitive outcomes from commentary, providing a clear, durable reference for understanding the case milestones.