Aaron Hernandez formally pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges during his arraignment on Friday in connection with the shooting death of one-time associate Odin Lloyd.
According to USA Today, Hernandez stood before a Superior court judge and "strongly" responded "not guilty" to all six charges that were read against him, including five accompanying weapons charges.
Attorneys for the former New England Patriots tight end also informed the court they plan to seek bond for their client during an upcoming Oct. 9 hearing. At least until then, Hernandez will remain jailed without bail and relegated to solitary confinement stemming from the June 17 murder.
In arguing that their client should be granted bail, USA Today reports Hernandez's attorneys plan to attack purported evidence against him as merely circumstantial. "Not one shred of evidence has been presented in court yet," Hernandez attorney Charles Rankin told the newspaper, likening the arraignment proceedings "a kickoff" in a football game.
Dressed in a dark suit and white shirt, Hernandez frequently made eye-contact with his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, who was seated in the courtroom, according to USA Today. Also there was the mother of Odin Lloyd, whom the newspaper reported sat, weeping, across the room from Jenkins.
Prosecutors have also indicated they continue to investigate Hernandez's potential involvement in a double homicide in Boston in 2012 in which two men were shot and killed in a drive-by. Police recently recovered the weapon used in that shooting and have also impounded a vehicle they believe was also used.
The car was recovered in a garage owned by a man identified as Hernadez's uncle.
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