Hernandez defense lawyers submit filings on juror ‘exposure,’ might seek new trial
Lawyers for convicted murder Aaron Hernandez might be seeking a new trial, according to Boston-area defense lawyer Philip A. Tracy Jr.’s interpretation of recent court filings.
Hernandez’s lawyers submitted four new court filings to Bristol County Superior Courthouse, including one titled: “Defense motion for post verdict inquiry respecting a juror’s exposure to significant extraneous matter and related issues.’’
Another motion seeks “to authorize the issuance of a subpoena to ascertain the source of information provided to council,’’ the Bristol County Superior Courthouse Clerk’s Office told Boston.com.
Tracy said they “probably have already filed’’ a motion for the judge to overrule the verdict asking for a new trial. These filings specifically refer to “some sort of juror misconduct allegations,’’ he said, meaning a juror may have been exposed to information about the case or voiced an opinion before the trial was over.
“The reality is no juror, no matter how dedicated, can be completely unexposed to media sources of all sorts,’’ Tracy said.
Jurors are no longer locked up and isolated completely during trials, but Tracy said a “faithful juror’’ would change the channel if trial coverage came on the news. Still, it’s not a common filing, he said, but it’s something judges take very seriously when dealing with the jurors.
Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Odin Lloyd less than two months ago.
His lawyers also filed a motion to seal the filings, the Clerk’s office said, meaning no other information can be given out at this time.
The Aaron Hernandez Trial in Pictures
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