New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was taken into custody by police this morning. He was arrested, but no formal charges have been announced yet. *Update – The Patriots have released Aaron Hernandez – tweet after the jump*
Details of what we do know so far after the jump…
*PHOTOS ABOVE IN GALLERY*
Via ESPN:
Hernandez, at the center of an investigation involving the shooting death of 27-year-old acquaintance, was led from the front door of his mansion, handcuffed behind his back.
State police officers and dogs had searched Hernandez’s home for more than 3½ hours Saturday.
ABC News on Friday reported that authorities were expected to execute an arrest warrant at some point for Hernandez for obstruction of justice, but that has yet to occur.
Michael Fee, an attorney for Hernandez, released a statement Monday night that read:
“Over the past week, our client, Aaron Hernandez, has been the subject of a relentless flood of rumors, misinformation, and false reports in the media. These include the repeated publication of a supposedly confirmed report that an arrest warrant had been issued for Aaron, a report that was exposed as untrue.
“None of these false reports come from official sources and we appreciate the professionalism and restraint shown by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office to date with regard to its public statements while its investigation is underway. Out of respect for that ongoing investigation, we will continue to refrain from commenting on its substance.”
Jamie Sultan, a longtime Boston criminal defense attorney at Rankin and Sultan, was seen entering Hernandez’s house on Tuesday.
A representative at Ropes and Gray, the firm that includes Fee and has been representing Hernandez, confirmed that they are co-counsel along with Rankin and Sultan.
The arrest warrant was prepared last week after police discovered that the security system at Hernandez’s home, along with his cellphone, were destroyed, sources told ABC News.
Surveillance video from the neighborhood shows Hernandez with Lloyd and two other people hours before Lloyd was killed last week, sources confirmed to ABC News late Thursday.
* Photos via SportsCenter
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UPDATE:
The New England Patriots issued the following statement:
“A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.”
