FALL RIVER, Mass. — Jury selection continues this week in the murder trial of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. He has pleaded not guilty in the June 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, a semiprofessional football player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee. Here are some things to know about the trial:
THE JURORS
Bristol County Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh is questioning individual jurors, excusing those with a personal hardship, those who show bias or others who show a valid reason to be dismissed. Garsh is conducting the questioning out of the public's hearing, so it's not known why she is excusing some and keeping others in the pool.
Once the court has found a few dozen potential qualified jurors, it will allow lawyers on each side to excuse 18 without giving a reason. The process will be over once they've seated 18 jurors. Six will be alternates, but they won't know who's who until immediately before deliberations begin.
THE SCENE
The trial is being held at the Fall River Justice Center, and Judge Garsh has banned all sports logos from the courthouse during the trial. At the security check-in, people are repeatedly turned away for wearing jackets, hats and jerseys bearing Patriots or other team logos.
Only a handful of members of the public have so far attended any of the trial hearings so far, but that could change once the trial begins in earnest with opening statements and witnesses.
Security outside is heavier than usual, and Fall River police have a visible and constant presence on the sidewalks around the building.
