FALL RIVER, Mass. – A jury found Aaron Hernandez guilty of murder in the first degree for the 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd, ending forever his life of NFL fame and fortune.
A Bristol County jury of seven women and five men deliberated for 36 hours over seven days before reaching a unanimous verdict on the former New England Patriots star. They said the murder rose to first degree due to Hernandez acting with extreme atrocity or cruelty. The conviction carries a sentence of automatic life in prison without the possibility of parole. — Dan Wetzel
Terri Hernandez, mother of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, reacts as the guilty verdict is read during her son's murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Terri Hernandez, mother of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, reacts as the guilty verdict is read during her son's murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez listens after he was sentenced to life in prison during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez listens after he was sentenced to life in prison during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
A court officer places handcuffs on the wrists of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez after the guilty verdict was read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
A court officer places handcuffs on the wrists of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez after the guilty verdict was read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez awaits the verdict during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez awaits the verdict during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Jury members in the trial against former NFL player Aaron Hernandez meet the media at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
The jury members in the trial against former NFL player Aaron Hernandez meet the media at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. The forewoman of the jury that found ex-National Football League star Aaron Hernandez guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday said that making the decision was the "hardest thing" many of them had ever done. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Olivia Thibou, sister of the victim, walks back to her seat after former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was convicted in his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Olivia Thibou, sister of the victim, walks back to her seat after former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was convicted in his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Ursula Ward, mother of the victim, walks back to her seat after former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was convicted in his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Ursula Ward, mother of the victim, walks back to her seat after former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was convicted in his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Ursula Ward, mother of the victim, reacts as former NFL player Aaron Hernandez is found guilty during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Ursula Ward, mother of the victim, reacts as former NFL player Aaron Hernandez is found guilty during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Shaneah Jenkins, girlfriend of the victim, reacts as former NFL player Aaron Hernandez is found guilty during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Shaneah Jenkins (L), girlfriend of the victim, reacts as former NFL player Aaron Hernandez is found guilty during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez listens as the guilty verdict is read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez listens as the guilty verdict is read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez and his defense team listen as the guilty verdict is read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez and his defense team listen as the guilty verdict is read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Handcuffs are seen on the wrists of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez after the guilty verdict is read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Handcuffs are seen on the wrists of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez after the guilty verdict is read during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Ursula Ward, mother of the victim, reacts to the guilty verdict for former NFL player Aaron Hernandez during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Ursula Ward, mother of the victim, reacts to the guilty verdict for former NFL player Aaron Hernandez during his murder trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is convicted of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Judge E. Susan Garsh instructs the jury before they resume deliberations during the murder trial for former NFL player Aaron Hernandez at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Judge E. Susan Garsh instructs the jury before they resume deliberations during the murder trial for former NFL player Aaron Hernandez at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is accused of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Shayanna Jenkins, fiancee of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, listens during the murder trial for Hernandez at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River
Shayanna Jenkins, fiancee of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez, listens during the murder trial for Hernandez at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 15, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is accused of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Former National Football League player Aaron Hernandez waits for a verdict in his trial at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River Massachusetts
Former National Football League player Aaron Hernandez (R) waits for a verdict in his trial at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River with his attorney Charles Rankin (L) in Fall River, Massachusetts April 14, 2015. Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, is accused of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near Hernandez's Massachusetts home in June 2013. REUTERS/David L. Ryan/Pool
Former tight end for the New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez with his attorney Charles Rankin at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts
Former tight end for the New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez (L) sits with his attorney Charles Rankin during his trial at the Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, Massachusetts April 13, 2015. The jury in the murder trial of former National Football League player Aaron Hernandez began its fifth day of deliberations on Monday over whether he is guilty of killing an acquaintance in 2013, in the first of two murder trials he will face this year. REUTERS/Ted Fitzgerald/Pool
