Homicide investigators spent hours with Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez inside his $1.3 million home after the body of a 27-year-old man police refer to as an "associate" of Hernandez was found not far from the NFL star's residence.
Police said Hernandez was initially uncooperative, according to news reports, and two of his friends who tried to leave the house when police arrived were stopped and searched in the driveway. A rental vehicle recovered near the scene, which could be a key piece of evidence, led investigators to Hernandez. It's unclear, however, the nature of the crime aside from the fact that it has been ruled a homicide.
This is the last type of situation the Pats want to be in, even if it's an offseason distraction that won't carry over into the season. But if it does, it will be interesting to see how the organization deflects the attention. They let Wes Welker go (Tom Brady's boy), brought in Tim Tebow and their real tight ends are either constantly in surgery or dodging the police. Bill Belichick is rolling his eyes before the media firestorm even heads toward Foxborough.
Hernandez is not considered to be a suspect in the murder investigation, but he and the organization have to be looking to get as far away from this story as possible.
Still, Sports Illustrated's Greg Bedard is doing some good work on the Hernandez coverage. He had a few points:
Looks like police are leaving Hernandez house. Search lasted little over 2.5 hours. One detective leaving with a cardboard box
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) June 19, 2013
Didn't see anything else brought out during the time they were in there. No comments from law enforcement.
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) June 19, 2013
IMO it's a bit dangerous to use subjective phrases like "not ruled out as suspect" and "uncooperative." Eye of the beholder, really.
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) June 19, 2013
Just as easy to say "not considered a suspect" or "has chosen to exercise his constitutional rights." Gotta let it play out IMO.
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) June 19, 2013
