Aaron Hernandez is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for a probable cause hearing. Although the hearing is expected to be brief, it's the ex-NFL star's first public appearance since his bail was denied on June 28. The hearing is set for 2 p.m. ET.
Watch the live stream HERE.
A probable cause hearing is held by a judge to determine whether there is sufficient reason to believe a crime was committed by a defendant. The prosecution would lay its case out, albeit with a much lower burden of proof, before the judge. Typically if a judge finds there to be enough evidence against the defendant, the case will go to trial.
In this case, the probable cause hearing is more of a formality.
It's likely the prosecution will file for a continuance, according to ESPN. Filing for a continuance would prevent the prosecution from having to present all of its evidence, and it'd give the grand jury, which is still convened, more time to issue an indictment.
Once an indictment is issued, Hernandez's case would move to state Superior Court and a trial date would be set.
The prosecution's reticence to immediately unveil its entire case ties in with a Boston Globe report, which said a Suffolk County grand jury is probing Hernandez's possible connection to a 2012 double murder in Boston.
If Hernandez is connected to the 2012 case, it would strengthen the state's case against him. If the prosecution can prove Lloyd knew about Hernandez's possible involvement, it would provide a clearer motive as to why Hernandez allegedly murdered him.
The former New England Patriots tight end is charged with first-degree murder and five gun-related charges in the murder of Odin Lloyd. He pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bail at the Bristol County House of Correction.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick is also scheduled to meet with the reporters on Wednesday. The press conference, set for 1:45 p.m. ET, is Belichick's first media appearance since Hernandez's arrest.
Another hearing is also scheduled for Wedneday. A judge will hear the motion filed by several media organizations asking for more search warrants and arrest warrants to be released, according to Sporting Nation.
The arrest warrants are presumably those Hernandez's alleged accomplices, Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace.
