Shayanna Jenkins, the longtime girlfriend and fiancee of accused murderer and former New England Patriots star Aaaron Hernandez, is reportedly at the center of the Odin Lloyd homicide investigation, and may be called in to testify in a future trial, IBTimes reported.
Prosecutor Bill McCauley laid out the state's evidence against Hernandez during Wednesday's arraignment hearing, with Jenkins cooperating with the Massachusetts State Police's investigation into Hernandez's potential role in Lloyd's murder.
Jenkins reportedly stopped cooperating after Hernandez told her to stop talking to police. Massachusetts state law stipulates that Jenkins would not have to testify against Hernandez if the couple decided to marry before she was called to the stand.
"A spouse shall not be compelled to testify in the trial of an indictment, complaint or other criminal proceeding brought against the other spouse." (Jenkins could legally refuse to provide evidence that would incriminate Hernandez in the homicide investigation.
Massachusetts law "recognizes the concept of spousal disqualification," according to Pro Football Talk.
On Wednesday, the Patriots tight end was arrested and charged Wednesday with murdering a friend a few days after they got into a dispute at a nightclub.
Hernandez was taken from his home in handcuffs Wednesday morning, more than a week after Boston semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd's was found in an industrial park about a mile from Hernandez's home, the Associated Press reported. Soon after his arrest, the Patriots announced they cut him from their team.
"Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation," the Patriots said in a statement. "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."
Lloyd was a 27-year-old semi-pro football player for the Boston Bandits. His relatives said he was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee, that the two men were friends and that the men were out together on the night Lloyd was murdered. Lloyd was shot multiple times in the back and chest, authorities said.
Hernandez was charged with murder and weapons counts.
The Patriots drafted Hernandez, who is originally from Bristol, Conn., out of the University of Florida in 2010. He had signed a five-year contract worth $40 million last summer.
