Aaron Hernandez and First Degree Murder
There are several different violent crimes a person can be charged with in the United States of America. One such example is Murder; which is defined as the intentional and unlawful killing of another human being. However, there are different degrees of murder a person can be charged with. Professional athlete Aaron Hernandez (formally of the New England Patriots) is currently being charged with murder in the first degree. What exactly constitutes murder in the first degree, and what are the sentencing consequences if a person is convicted of murder in the first degree?
Typically when a person is charged with first degree murder, it is because the prosecution is alleging that the defendant murdered the victim deliberately, and that the act was premeditated. Meaning, the defendant had the intent and plan to murder the victim AND he/she carried out that plan. Some examples of first degree murder are: the use of a bomb and/or destructive device, or if the defendant tortured the victim which in turn caused their death.
Aaron Hernandez is being charged with this particular degree of murder because; the prosecution argues that the killing of the victim, Odin Lloyd, was deliberate and planned by Hernandez and his co-defendants Carlos Ortiz and ErnestWallace. Some of the evidence that is being presented to allege this is that Hernandez was in fact in contact with the victim within the last 10 hours of his life and that the victim’s body was found about a mile away from Hernandez’s place of residence.
If a person is found guilty, and convicted of first degree murder, they face 25 years to life in prison, with a possibility of parole after the 25 years. Depending on whether or not the homicide was considered a hate crime, the defendant could face life without the possibility of parole. Another deciding factor of parole is the state in which the trial is held. In States that still have the death penalty one can also be sentenced to death for being convicted of first degree murder. Because Aaron Hernandez is being charged in the state of Massachusetts, if convicted he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In conclusion, if Aaron Hernandez is in fact convicted of first degree murder, he will face life in prison without the possibility of parole. The evidence obtained by the prosecution in the case alleges that Hernandez plotted the death of Odin Lloyd, and willingly killed him. In a court of law, first degree murder is a violent crime and if convicted of such a crime one will be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, and on occasion without parole. Due to the overwhelming evidence presented against Hernandez, he not only ended his NFL career, but might have permanently lost his freedom as well.
