Aaron Hernandez was expected to pair with Rob Gronkowski to form the top tight end duo in the NFL for the New England Patriots. Now, he sits in a Massachusetts jail cell awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges, while his union looks to recoup $82,000 in workout bonuses.
Hernandez was arrested last month in connection with the shooting death of semipro football player Odin Lloyd, the boyfriend of his fiancee's sister. Hernandez has been accused of orchestrating Lloyd's murder and pulling the trigger as well.
Hernandez had signed a $40 million contract this offseason that included a $12.5 million signing bonus, but that deal was taken away from him after he was cut following the arrest. Now, the NFLPA is attempting to collect $82,000 in workout bonuses that the Patriots are withholding. According to ESPN.com, NFL teams are able to "recover bonus money" and avoid cap hits if a player is deemed to have violated the NFL's personal conduct policy or "defaults on contract language."
Last Thursday Hernandez was formally indicted on the first-degree murder charge and is set for arraignment on September 6th.
Lloyd's body was found in an industrial park about a mile away from Hernandez's mansion in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. No murder weapon has been found linking Hernandez to the murder, however prosecutors reportedly have a substantial amount of circumstantial evidence, as well as the cooperation of an accused accomplice, Carlos Ortiz.
Ortiz allegedly directed authorities to a "flophouse" belonging to Hernandez that contained a cap and sweatshirt Hernandez was caught on camera wearing the night Lloyd was murdered.
Police also suspect Hernandez was involved in a 2012 double murder of two men following a dispute at a nightclub. Hernandez and his crew argued with another group of men, who were later gunned down while waiting at a red light upon leaving the club.
Some believe Lloyd had knowledge of that incident, and Hernandez had him murdered to silence him.
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