A smiling, relaxed Aaron Hernandez appeared so confident during a Fall Rivers court hearing on Monday his actions sent the mother of his alleged murder victim running from the courthouse in tears.
According to the New York Daily News, the former New England Patriots tight end flashed toothy grins and mouthed "I love you" to his mother during a court appearance aimed at determining if a judge should issue a formal gag order in the case.
Hernandez, 24, faces first-degree murder charges in the June 17 execution-style killing of one-time associate Odin Lloyd and remains held without bail. His attorneys now contend prosecutors have placed their client's right to a fair trial in grave jeopardy by leaking information to the media.
With several other apparent supporters dressed in Patriots gear and at least one woman actually wearing Hernandez's jersey looking on, the scene become too emotional for Ursula Ward, the mother of the 27-year-old Lloyd.
The News reports at one point she broke down and had to helped from the courtroom in tears,
"Mr. Hernandez is entitled to a fair trial," lead defense Michael Fee told Judge Susan Garsh during the hourlong proceeding," according to The News. "He is entitled to a jury panel that has not been poisoned by either false or sensational statements."
The defense later alleged the prosecution orchestrated a "publicity stunt" in October, when authorities served Miami Dolphin Michael Pouncey with a subpoena related to the case immediately following the Patriots having faced their nemesis at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Pouncey at Hernandez once starred together at Florida.
The judge did not immediately rule on the defense's request, but the two sides agreed in principle on the issuance of the sought after gag order. The judge asked both to submit specific proposals for a formal order by sometime in January.
Shayanna Jenkins, Hernandez fiancee and the mother of his young daughter, was also among those appearing in the court audience on Monday. She now faces perjury charges in connection with the case and prosecutors have accused her of lying at least 29 times to investigators.
In pleading not guilty, attorneys for Jenkins have since claimed prosecutors have attempted to strongarm and intimidate their client.
"We are playing fair," Assistant District Attorney William McCauley told the court. "We've agreed to the rules of professional conduct, and we're abiding by them."
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