A probable cause hearing is scheduled on Wednesday for Aaron Hernandez. A grand jury, meanwhile, is still convened to decide whether to indict the ex-NFL star for the murder of Odin Lloyd, Sporting Nation reports.
A judge will determine in Hernandez's probable cause hearing whether there is sufficient reason to believe a crime was committed by Hernandez.
Based on the evidence disclosed by prosecutors during Hernandez's arraignment and bail hearing, the judge should find probable cause that Hernandez committed the crime of killing Lloyd.
"I'd say the evidence is overwhelming enough that it'll go to trial," a legal expert told Sporting News.
A grand jury, meanwhile, remains convened as it decides whether to indict Hernandez. In order for the case to go to trial, the grand jury must hand down an indictment - the probable cause ruling is typically a prerequisite to the grand jury indictment.
The probable cause hearing can be pre-empted if the Massachusetts grand jury reaches a decision before Wednesday, although it's unlikely. The grand jury decision is not expected that soon.
Last Thursday, the grand jury heard from Alexander Bradley, the man who filed a lawsuit alleging Hernandez shot him last February in the eye. Because the procedures are closed, it's unknown what Bradley testified to.
If the grand jury hands down an indictment, Hernandez's case would be moved to state Superior Court and a trial date would likely be set. It's worth noting the standard of proof to indict Hernandez for a crime is much lower in a grand jury session than in an actual trial - a grand jury must find only probable cause to indict a defendant.
Several media organizations filed a motion last week for the court to unseal two arrest warrants and more search warrants in the case. The arrest warrants are presumably those of Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace, Hernandez's alleged accomplices.
The hearing for the motion is also on Wednesday. Neither hearing is expected to take long.
