FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2013 file photo, former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez attends a pretrial court hearing in Fall River, Mass. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty in the killing of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player from Boston who was dating the sister of Hernandez's girlfriend. On Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, Lloyd's family filed a wrongful death suit against Hernandez in court in New Bedford, Mass. (AP Photo/Brian Snyder, Pool, File)
December 23, 2013 - 1:38 PM
FALL RIVER, Mass. - A Massachusetts judge may impose a formal gag order in the murder case against former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez after his attorneys accused the state of allowing leaks that jeopardize his right to a fair trial.
The defence said at a Fall River Superior Court hearing that the prosecution has allowed out-of-court statements about the case. They say Hernandez is entitled to a fair trial before a jury that hasn't been "poisoned" by prejudicial information.
Prosecutors deny the allegations and say no leaks have come from the investigative team.
The two sides agree in principle on a gag order, but the judge asked them both to submit specific proposals.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in the June shooting death of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old semi-professional football player.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013