Hernandez cousin made to testify says she can’t recall facts
Published 2:30 pm Tuesday, March 24, 2015
- Etna Ritchton testifies during the murder trial of former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez at Bristol County Superior Court, Friday, March 20, 2015, in Fall River, Mass. Hernandez is charged with killing Odin Lloyd. (AP Photo/CJ Gunther, Pool)
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — A cousin of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez has taken the stand in the murder trial after being ordered by the court to do so, but she has repeatedly said she can’t remember.
Jennifer Mercado was granted immunity from prosecution before testifying Tuesday. She gave Hernandez a big smile from the witness box.
Hernandez is charged with the June 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancee’s sister.
Mercado’s sister, Tanya Singleton, pleaded guilty to criminal contempt for failing to testify before a grand jury. Singleton has pleaded not guilty to helping a Hernandez co-defendant flee after the killing.
Mercado repeatedly said she couldn’t remember what happened in the days after the killing.
She also said she couldn’t remember details she recalled for the grand jury.
