A Massachusetts grand jury has indicted Shayanna, the girlfriend of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and the mother of his young daughter, on a single count of perjury. Bristol County District Attorney Samuel Sutter announced the indictment on Friday, September 27, 2013. The charge relates to the investigation into the June killing of Odin, a 27 year old semiprofessional football player whose body was found in an industrial park in North Attleborough.
Prosecutors have not said what led to the perjury charge. Shayanna was not arrested and has been ordered to appear for an arraignment that had not yet been scheduled. A spokesman for the district attorney declined to comment until then, and according to published reports a message left for her lawyer was not returned.
Two others were indicted as well. Hernandez’s cousin Tanya was indicted on a charge of conspiracy to commit accessory after the fact, and Carlos, an associate of Hernandez, was indicted on a charge of accessory after the fact to murder. Carlos’s attorney said he expects his client to plead not guilty. Another associate has already pleaded not guilty to the same accessory charge.
Prosecutors allege Hernandez killed Odin. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and weapons charges and is being held without bail. His attorneys have said the state cannot prove its case and that he will be exonerated. Prosecutors say the investigation is ongoing and more charges could follow. Everyone named here is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
This is a developing story, and Baller Alert will keep you posted as the case moves forward.
