George Rizer for The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesFormer New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez has been found guilty of first-degree murder. The conviction carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A Massachusetts jury found the former NFL player, 25, guilty of killing Odin Lloyd, 27, in 2013. Lloyd had been dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée when he was found in an industrial park less than a mile from Hernandez's home with six gunshot wounds, according to NBC News. Less than two hours after the news broke of Hernandez's initial arrest, the Patriots announced they had dropped him from the team. He had a $40 million contract.
When he was charged with murder, Hernandez showed "no emotion" as attorneys for the victim, a 27-year-old semi-professional football player and landscaper, recounted the events from the evening of the killing. Lloyd's attorneys cited surveillance footage, text messages and witnesses as evidence for their case.
The victim's mother, Ursula Ward, told NBC affiliate Boston WHDH that her son was "a wonderful child. He's a family guy, he has not done anything to hurt anyone."
Hernandez is facing a second trial later this year, where he is charged with shooting two men to death outside of a nightclub.
This is the latest scandal to plague the NFL, which is also facing a crisis regarding concussions and domestic assault within the franchise.
(E! and NBC News are both members of the NBCUniversal family.)