Truly, the Aaron Hernandez trial has been such a tour-de-force. For such a fall from grace, there may never be a trial today that has attracted so much media attention and drama as that of the ex-New England Patriot American football tight end. This time around, the media wants in.
Wanting to exercise its right to intervene, newspaper publisher GateHouse Media has asked a judge to made public sealed documents relating to an unspecified juror issue in Hernandez's recent murder trial held in Massachusetts.
Stressing the media's role in such a much-dissected trial, Zack Kleinsasser, an attorney for newspaper publisher GateHouse Media divulged, "It's an attack on the media that doesn't go anywhere. I think it ignores the First Amendment role of the media and press on behalf of the public to investigate the criminal judicial system."
It appears GateHouse Media is on a glorified mission to expose the weaknesses of the justice system. As the move though largely noble is also unprovoked.
For their part, Hernandez lawyer James Sultan has filed a paper under seal recently seeking inquiry on what could be a juror's "exposure to significant extraneous matter." Sadly, however, Sultan is keeping the cards close to his chest and has not disclosed any detail on the matter; neither has the prosecution.
To note, Aaron Hernandez got convicted in April, indicted by a grand jury and found guilty for the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2013. Lloyd, a semi-pro football player, was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée.
However, the 25-year old star born in Bristol, Connecticut is facing other legal troubles as he was also indicted for the 2012 double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. Currently, he is serving prison term of life without the possibility of parole at the
Recently, Sultan has informed the judge that he and the other lawyers for Hernandez believe that the 6 ft. 1 in.-footballer did not get a fair trial. Consequently, the lawyer has requested for his filings to be temporarily impounded until after a factual investigation gets underway.
Kleinsasser informed Superior Cour Judge Susan Garsh that needed criteria for sealing documents have not been adequately met. Added to this no adequate alternatives had been offered by the defence.
Bristol County district attorney is mum about the matter. Apparently, they are awaiting for the judge to cast its ruling on these requests.
In the mean time, in Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, one former All-American and crowd-drawer Aaron Hernandez is languishing.
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