Odin Lloyd’s Mother: Forgive Aaron Hernandez
Less than two years ago, Odin Lloyd was shot and killed in an industrial park. On Wednesday, Lloyd’s mother said she has forgiven Aaron Hernandez, who was convicted of the murder.
“I forgive the hands of the people that had a hand in my son’s murder, either before or after,’’ Ursula Ward said after the former Patriots star was found guilty of first-degree murder. “And I pray and hope that someday everyone out there will forgive them also.’’
Ward spoke through stifled tears as part of a series of statements from Lloyd family members read before the court. Lloyd’s mother, uncle, sister, and cousin remembered him as a hard-working, caring man who loved football and worked for everything he earned.
“Odin was my first best gift I ever received. I thank God every second and every day of my son’s life that I spent with him,’’ Ward said. “The day I laid my son Odin’s life to rest, I felt my heart stop beating for a moment. I felt like I wanted to go into the hole with my son, Odin.’’
Lloyd, a semi-professional football player, was killed just after Father’s Day in June 2013. Surrounded by family in a press conference after the trial, Ward said one of Lloyd’s last words to her was to wish her a happy Father’s Day.
“I’ve been his mother and father all his life, so on Father’s Day that’s one of the things he gives me,’’ she said. “Just like God has left his footprint in the sand, my baby’s footprint is in my heart forever. He was my strength. I love him dearly.’’
Ward appeared in court almost every day of the trial wearing purple, because she said that was her son’s favorite color.
Aaron Hernandez Murder Trial in Pictures
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