Prosecutors will be allowed to try and connect Aaron Hernandez\u2019s gun tattoos to the shootings the former Patriot stands accused of \u2014 body art that could be seen as an \u201cimplied admission\u201d to the crimes, according to a judge\u2019s ruling. \u00a0One tattoo depicts a six-shot revolver with one bullet missing, according to court documents. The words \u201cGod Forgives\u201d are written under the gun, the ruling states. The other tattoo is a semi-automatic pistol with a spent shell casing and a wisp of smoke, according to the order.<\/p>\n
Suffolk prosecutors argue that the tattoos relate to the double murder and subsequent witness intimidation that Hernandez will stand trial for. Hernandez is accused of killing Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in the South End on July 16, 2012. Prosecutors say he shot Alexander Bradley, a key witness, in the face on Feb. 13, 2013.<\/p>\n
If prosecutors can prove a connection between the tattoos \u201cthe defendant\u2019s conduct in ordering and obtaining these tattoos could be viewed as constituting an implied admission \u2026 or as evidence reflecting consciousness of guilt,\u201d Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Locke wrote on Monday.<\/p>\n
Hernandez\u2019s defense team, which can immediately appeal the decision, declined comment. The potentially damning evidence is not yet guaranteed to be seen by a jury, as Locke will decide whether prosecutors have appropriately connected the dots later.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it should be fair game for the prosecutors. They liken it to a proclamation \u2014 like an admission someone would make on Facebook after a crime,\u201d said Phil Tracy, a criminal defense attorney not involved in the case. \u201cIf they build a foundation here, it could get in.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a victory for Hernandez\u2019s team, Locke also ordered that Raychides Sanches and Aquilino Freire \u2014 two eyewitnesses in the 2012 double murder \u2014 can\u2019t identify the former tight end as the shooter in front of a jury. Locke found that they were unable to give a description of Hernandez until after they saw extensive media coverage linking him to the 2013 murder of Odin L. Lloyd.<\/p>\n
By:\u00a0Bob McGovern<\/p>\n
Bostonherald.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"