:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/15420063/20130120_jla_sj7_107.0.jpg)
[Update, 06/26/13 3:20 PM EDT ] First degree murder charge (to go along with five gun charges). No bail. Wow. Florio was certainly not misinformed when told to "assume the worst." The specific details laid out at the hearing were surreal. Simply surreal. Prosecution said Hernandez "orchestrated the execution" of Odin Lloyd. Fact: 98% of all first degree murder cases result in a conviction. Twitter told me so. Massachusetts does not have the death penalty, so the punishment would be life in prison without the possibility of parole.
***
At 8:45 AM EST this morning, well-dressed law enforcement officers took Aaron Hernandez from his house in handcuffs and placed him a police car. Jokes that they had cut off Hernandez's arms followed. The Patriots were in less of a joking mood and acted swiftly. An hour-and-a-half after the arrest, the team's Twitter account sent out the following eight-word message:
The New England #Patriots have released Aaron Hernandez.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 26, 2013
Simple, jarring, final. Well, then. The Patriots aren't messing around and have emphatically reinforced their "culture over individual" ethos. Here's the official statement from the organization:
"A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do."
In what is a sad commentary on our society, people -- unsurprisingly -- immediately started asking about the possibility of their team signing Hernandez. If Mike Florio has been informed correctly, no team will be signing Hernandez, and he won't be playing again. Ever.
Source with direct knowledge of Hernandez situation tells us: "Assume the worst."
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 26, 2013
More from Bleeding Green Nation
Chip Kelly "sanctioned" by NCAA
Vegas Oddsmakers not high on 2013 Eagles
TE will replace WR in the Eagles offense