New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was taken out of his home in handcuffs more than a week after a body was found near his Massachusetts home.
Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was formally charged Wednesday afternoon with murder more than a week after a body was found near his Massachusetts home.
Hernandez was also charged with several counts of unlawful possession of firearms.
Hernandez 23 was placed in handcuffs and put in a police cruiser just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday by Massachusetts State Police and North Attleborough police. Authorities have searched his home on the Rhode Island line not far from the Patriots' stadium several times over the past week.
Hernandez was being arraigned at Attleboro District Court.
Watch live Aaron Hernandez's arraignment
Less than two hours after the arrest the Patriots announced they were releasing Hernandez.
A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do a statement from the team read.
The Patriots drafted Hernandez in 2010. Last summer the team gave Hernandez a five year contract that is worth $40 million including a signing bonus of $12.5 million.
The body of Odin Lloyd 27 was found June 17 about one mile away from the tight end's North Attleborough home. The death was ruled a homicide Hernandez has not been named as a suspect in the case.
The investigation also cost Hernandez his endorsement contract with CytoSport which makes Muscle Milk and other supplements for athletes last week.
A call to Hernandez's attorney was not immediately returned.
Lloyd has been described as a semi professional football player with unspecified ties to Hernandez friends and family told NBC affiliate in Boston WHDH.
My son is a wonderful child. He s a family guy he has not done anything to hurt anyone Lloyd s mother Ursula Ward said. First and foremost I would like to thank the person that found my son. I would like to say God put him in the right place at the right time.
Separately Hernandez is also embroiled in a civil lawsuit by a Connecticut man Alexander Bradley who alleges Hernandez shot him in the eye after the two left a Miami strip club in February.
According to a Palm Beach County police report the case was abandoned because Bradley refused to cooperate with authorities.
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Florida lawsuit alleges Patriots' Hernandez shot friend in faceThe Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published on Wed Jun 26 2013 2 53 PM EDT
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