Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who is being held without bail for the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, stood before a judge today to determine if he would be able to be moved to a new jail cell in general population. After examining the situation, everyone felt that it was best to move Hernandez from the medical ward at Bristol County Jail to solitary confinement to avoid being harmed from an inmate looking for a cheap shot at fame.
“The reason for this move is simply to protect him. We wouldn’t want some inmate trying to get any notoriety by attempting to harm Aaron Hernandez,” Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson told TMZ.com.
“He can have access to the phone, yard for fresh air, and the common room.”
Hernandez has reportedly been calm in his cell and has not been looking for any special treatment. While he is now being held in solitary confinement, he will be able to put up to five people on a visitors list so that he can still get a few familiar faces in front of him from time to time.
“Having just met with him earlier again after his evaluation, and for a man who has gone from 7,000-square-feet to a 10×7 cell, he is doing very well and seems to be taking the situation great,” Hodgson added. “He is very respectful and calm. Also to this point he has had no special requests.”
Hernandez is facing a first-degree murder charge and five gun-related charges stemming from the Lloyd murder. He is also being investigated for a double-murder that took place in Boston a year ago, which law enforcement officials say may have been linked to this murder.
For Hernandez, this is just the beginning of his legal battle, and it looks like he has walked his last day as a free man.