Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Goodbye - http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... story.html

The trial was conducted about 15 miles from where I live. Our D.A. resigned earlier this year to become mayor of Fall River, where the trial was held, and lawyer friends of mine speculated that he no longer wanted the job because he was afraid Hernandez would be found not guilty. However, I think the prosecution did an excellent job of presenting the case and it seemed like a strong case to me. It's an excellent example of the fact that circumstantial evidence, though it has a bad reputation, is often the best evidence. I have to wonder if the defense attorney made a serious mistake in his closing arguments by admitting that Hernandez was present when the murder took place, which could not be established by the prosecution. I'm sure there will be an appeal, but I don't see any solid grounds for any appeal to upheld, because most of the judge's major rulings favored the defense.

I believe appeal of a Murder 1st conviction is mandatory in Massachusetts.
(If he is permitted to do so, it will be interesting to read what our own Jeremy has to offer in this matter.)

rhickok1109 wrote:The trial was conducted about 15 miles from where I live. Our D.A. resigned earlier this year to become mayor of Fall River, where the trial was held, and lawyer friends of mine speculated that he no longer wanted the job because he was afraid Hernandez would be found not guilty. However, I think the prosecution did an excellent job of presenting the case and it seemed like a strong case to me. It's an excellent example of the fact that circumstantial evidence, though it has a bad reputation, is often the best evidence. I have to wonder if the defense attorney made a serious mistake in his closing arguments by admitting that Hernandez was present when the murder took place, which could not be established by the prosecution. I'm sure there will be an appeal, but I don't see any solid grounds for any appeal to upheld, because most of the judge's major rulings favored the defense.

I've corresponded with two former big-time prosecutors with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and am a long-time trial junkie. Circumstantial evidence is ALWAYS the best evidence. Direct evidence is eyewitness ID which is sometimes wrong.

DNA and fingerprints are circumstantial evidence and don't lie. Some people mistakenly think DNA and fingerprints are "direct" evidence, but are not.

I suppose that puts Hernandez on a list with Dontae Stallworth as active NFL players who have killed somebody.

Rupert Patrick wrote:I suppose that puts Hernandez on a list with Dontae Stallworth as active NFL players who have killed somebody.

Technically, you can't include Orenthal, but...

BD Sullivan wrote:

Rupert Patrick wrote:I suppose that puts Hernandez on a list with Dontae Stallworth as active NFL players who have killed somebody.

Technically, you can't include Orenthal, but...

Assuming you mean they took the life of another person while they were an active NFL player.
Brian Blades (acquitted in the shooting death of his cousin. It was ruled an accident)
Reggie Rodgers
Leonard Little
Rae Carruth (murder for hire)
Dwayne Goodrich
Jovan Belcher

Retired NFL players
Jim Tyrer
Tommy Kane
Robert Rozier
OJ and Jim Dunaway. Neither man convicted, but both lost wrongful death civil suits.
Apparently, Lawrence Phillips

Eric Naposki
Jovan Belcher

Chubby Grigg killed his own son, but was either acquitted or had a reduced charge and did not serve time.

Josh Brent and maybe Jeff Alm