Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing. The proceeding is expected to begin at 2 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE.
Hernandez returns to court for the first time since being arraigned on first-degree murder in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd. A grand jury indicted the ex-NFL star in September, leading to his arraignment in Superior Court.
The case is now headed to trial, which could begin as early as next year. Discovery will likely be a subject raised in Wednesday's pre-trial hearing.
Hernandez, 23, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and multiple gun-related charges.
The Commonwealth alleges Hernandez orchestrated and then executed the shooting death of Lloyd, who was found in an industrial park less than two miles away from Hernandez's North Attleborough, Mass., home.
Hernandez's defense team characterized the prosecution's case as "circumstantial" and weak.
Shayanna Jenkins, the fiancée of Hernandez, was also indicted in September on one count of perjury. Based on court documents, police believe she may have hid the weapon used to murder Lloyd.
ARTICLE: 5 Things Known About Shayanna Jenkins (UPDATE)
Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz were both charged as an accessory after the fact in connection to the murder of Lloyd. Ortiz, who court documents indicate is cooperating with investigators, recently changed his account of the events leading up to Lloyd's death; it may affect his credibility as a witness.
