Aaron Hernandez was back in court today for a probable cause hearing, during which prosecutors typically try to to establish that he committed a crime.
The hearing is meant to give prosecutors a chance to show that there’s enough evidence to bring the case before a grand jury for a formal indictment.
In this case, that appears like a foregone conclusion … eventually.
Once that happens, a pretrial date will be set, but today didn’t quite go as expected. The prosecutors requested a continuance, asking for more time.
Hernandez’s lawyer objected, asking for the case to be dismissed because prosecutors were dragging their feet in compiling and presenting evidence.
The judge sided with the prosecution, however, and Aaron Hernandez is due back in court for another probable cause hearing on Thursday, August 22.
It’s unclear why they wanted more time, or if it signifies any holes in their case against the athlete, but they were given another month in any event.
The former NFL star, accused of murdering Odin Lloyd and possibly others (he is also a person of interest in a 2012 drive-by) has been denied bail.
He will likely remain behind bars (and in solitary confinement indefinitely) unless he’s acquitted or the case is thrown out, which would be a long shot.
The fallen New England Patriots star’s attorney also claimed the release of information regarding the case impedes Aaron’s right to a fair trial.
The judge wasn’t convinced of that argument, either.
At the beginning of the hearing, Hernandez looked at his family in court and mouthed the words "I love you." Odin Lloyd‘s parents were also on hand.