Aaron Hernandez Alleged Accomplice Carloz Ortiz Seeking Immunity, Witness Protection

Legal experts are theorizing alleged Aaron Hernandez accomplice Carlos Ortiz is now seeking immunity and witness protection.

Hernandez, 23, has been charged with first-degree murder in the execution style slaying of one-time associate Odin Lloyd and reports are Ortiz has already admitted to investigators that he was with both men on the night of the night of the June 17 shooting.

According to USA Today Sports, Ortiz told investigators the three men and Ernest Wallace were all riding together when Hernandez and Lloyd allegedly begin discussing the former New Patriots star tight end’s disapproval of him socializing with a group he didn’t care for.

Ortiz later told authorities he thought the matter had been settled when the other three men got out of the car to urinate and he heard gunshots. He added only Hernandez and Wallace returned to the vehicle, which then sped away with Hernandez behind the wheel.

According to John Connors, Ortiz’s attorney, the case is expected to come to trial in "a year and a half or two years" and by then he is hoping to have already gotten his client released from custody. He is now being held without bail on possession of an illegal firearm charge.

Meanwhile, former associates of Ortiz from Bristol, Conn. have already USA Today they now consider Ortiz “a rat and a snitch” and “can’t come back to the old neighborhood.”

"He would be a candidate for witness protection," Gerry Leone, a former Middlesex district attorney told USA Today.  "But first prosecutors have to work out what his status is--- is he a cooperating witness, a charged defendant in the case or a confidential informant? Obviously, from what's been made public, he's not a confidential informant."

"They'll say to him, 'We'll sign you up. We'll put you on our team, but you have to be on our team all the way,'" Leone added. "And if he agrees, his lawyer will say, 'OK, but we want security and safety.'"

Hernandez is expected back in court today for a probable cause hearing. His name has also surfaced in connection with a 2012 double homicide and some media reports have speculated charges may also be close to being filed against him in that case as well.

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