Aaron Hernandez -- Will Stay in Solitary Confinement ... 'It's In His Best Interest'

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Will Stay in Solitary
'It's In His Best Interest'

Aaron Hernandez will NOT be moved out of solitary confinement at the Bristol County Jail ... after officials decided it would be in his "best interest" to remain isolated from the general population, TMZ has learned.

As we previously reported, the alleged murderer was placed in solitary right after he was booked -- fearing violent inmates might view the former NFL star as a "prize."  But officials vowed to review Aaron's situation and would consider moving him if they felt it was safe.

But officials met yesterday and a rep for the jail tells TMZ ... after serious discussion, they decided NOT to move Hernandez, believing it would be in his "best interest" to stay. The insinuation -- he's still in danger.

The jail rep says the ex-NFL star is "doing well" behind bars ... and hasn't had any problems so far.

As far as visitors go -- "He has been getting visitors but we do not give out who is visiting him ... but people do come regularly."

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Cops: Witness Says Aaron Hernandez ADMITTED Shooting Odin Lloyd

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Cops:
Witness Says Hernandez
ADMITTED Shooting Lloyd Ex-New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez CONFESSED that he fired the shots that killed Odin Lloyd ... this according to a police document that cites a witness ... who cites another witness.

OK, so it's a confession that's 3 degrees removed from Aaron Hernandez ... but cops in Miramar, Florida believed the tip was good enough to bring to a judge in an effort to get a search warrant connected with the investigation.

First, some background -- prosecutors in the murder case believe Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace were with Hernandez when Lloyd was murdered.  Both Ortiz and Wallace are currently in custody.

Now, according to documents filed by the Miramar Police Dept., Ortiz told investigators ... that Wallace, told him ... that Hernandez told him that he shot Lloyd.

You follow that?

It's double hearsay, to say the least ... but with life sentences on the line, it might not be the last time these guys (allegedly) point the finger at each other.

For his part, Hernandez insists he's not guilty.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Lauryn Hill to Aaron Hernandez -- My Prison Food Is WAYYY Better Than Yours!

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Lauryn Hill to Aaron Hernandez:
My Prison Food Is WAYYY Better Than Yours!

Lauryn Hill is living the PRISON HIGH LIFE ... at least compared to Aaron Hernandez -- and TMZ has the menu to prove it.

Let's start with their first meals ...

When Lauryn checked into Federal Correctional Institute in Connecticut on Monday to serve her 3-month sentence for tax evasion, she was served up with some tasty BBQ pulled pork with a side of carrots, peas and sweet potatoes. To wash it down: she was able to choose from an array of juices or milk. WHO'S HUNGRY?

Compare that to Hernandez ... whose first meal at Bristol County Jail included scrambled eggs and grits, and chop suey with green beans and bread. Prison chop suey? No thanks.

As for day-to-day life, Hill will do menial work like cleaning the grounds, educational department help, yard work, or working in the religious services department. At night, she's housed in barracks with other inmates so she can laugh and talk and have fun!

Hernandez is being kept in a 3x5 cell for 21 hours a day, only allowed out for three hours a day, allegedly for his own safety. Oh ... and he's all alone in solitary confinement. Boooooring! 

So, what's the lesson here? If you're gonna break the law ... try not to (allegedly) murder a guy (or three) ... it's better that way.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inboxSee More: Lauryn Hill ,  Celebrity Justice ,  Music ,  8 More Exclusive ,  TMZ Black ,  Famous Food ,  Money ,  Arrests ,  Crime ,  Weird News ,  TMZ Sports Hide these

Aaron Hernandez -- Jersey Exchange Program ... MOBBED

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Jersey Exchange Program
Mobbed Hundreds of New England Patriots fans lined up outside the Patriots Pro Shop today to exchange their Aaron Hernandez jerseys, and one thing was clear ... they wanted NO part of the accused murderer.

According to ESPN's Adam Shefter, more than 500 Hernandez jerseys were returned by 11:00 AM ET, which was just 90 minutes after the program opened.

TMZ spoke with a few people who waited on line to turn in their jerseys ... a few of whom had bought the jerseys for their kids and wanted to exchange the AH ones for players who were "a better role model."

As for the idea that Hernandez jerseys are big sellers on eBay, as one Pats fan put it ... "that's bad karma."

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Hernandez -- Shooting Victim Ordered to Appear Before Grand Jury

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Shooting Victim Ordered to Appear Before Grand Jury
The man who claims Aaron Hernandez shot him in the face earlier this year has been ordered by a judge in Massachusetts to appear before a grand jury later this month.

Alexander Bradley was ordered by Superior Court Judge Joan Alexander to appear July 17. Bradley had been fighting the interstate subpoena, claiming he required medical treatment in Florida.

As TMZ first reported, Bradley sued Hernandez last month, claiming Hernandez shot him in the face following an altercation at a Miami strip club.

Hernandez is currently facing a murder charge in the shooting of Odin Lloyd.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Sports Memorabilia Stores -- We Don't Want 'Blood Money' from Aaron Hernandez Jerseys

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Sports Stores
We Don't Want 'Blood Money'
from Hernandez Jerseys eBay's profiting off "blood money" from Aaron Hernandez' alleged murder by allowing sellers to jack up jersey prices -- so say several New England sports memorabilia store owners ... and they REFUSE to do the same thing.

As you know, prices for Hernandez jerseys on eBay have soared in light of recent events -- with some jerseys reaching $1,500 or more -- but TMZ spoke with the owners of multiple New England sports memorabilia stores ... and not ONE of them plans to raise prices to meet demand.
The owner of Sportsworld USA in Saugus, MA, tells us, "We don't want to make money off this incident. It's what we consider blood money. We just want to get our money back."

The owner of Your Sports Memorabilia in Boston says, "I do not stand for what he allegedly did and wouldn't want to profit off an individual who was murdered ... Sports memorabilia is a dirty industry and this is one of the reasons why."

The owner of SureShot Promotions in Hanson, MA, says the store is even discounting some of the jerseys to get rid of them ASAP -- telling us, "It is a sad situation."

And for the record, the demand in memorabilia stores is just as crazy as it is online ... the owner of New England Pictures (Manchester, NH) says they sold more Hernandez jerseys the day his murder charge was announced than they did in the 6 months before.

Bottom line: people are really weird.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Hernandez Jail Letter #2 -- I'm Going Nuts Without Internet LOL

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Jail Letter #2
I'm Going Nuts Without Internet LOL

Aaron Hernandez is jonesin' for the Internet ... according to a new letter he wrote to a fan.

TMZ has obtained a second letter Hernandez recently wrote behind bars, thanking a fan for a Facebook support page she started  ... a page he can't read because jail is an Internet-free zone.

He wrote, "Thanks for the site and sry [sic] I can't check site [sic] there is no internet in jail lol."

Correct ... Hernandez wrote out the word "lol" in pen.

Also, FYI, Hernandez is now aware that his jail letters are making headlines.  We spoke to the sheriff at the jail who tells us, Hernandez has been warned to be careful with his letters because TMZ keeps publishing them.

Oops.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Police Theory On Murder in Aaron Hernandez Case

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Cops Theory on
M.O. For Murder
Police have a theory as to why they think former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez killed Odin Lloyd -- he knew secrets that could have destroyed Aaron's relationship with his fiancée and the team.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... there are several operating theories, but a prevailing one based on evidence they have already unearthed is that Lloyd "mouthed off" to Hernandez about "secrets" Hernandez had told him in the past. 

As for what the nature of the secrets -- we're told they involve 2 issues:  Aaron's involvement in drugs and Aaron's involvement in several violent incidents.

Our law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... they do not believe Lloyd tried to extort Hernandez -- in other words, ask for money in return for secrecy.  The theory is that Hernandez went ballistic after Lloyd started throwing damaging information in Hernandez's face -- information Hernandez thought would end his relationship with his fiancée and his football career.

Short story -- Odin's crime may have been that he was a blabbermouth.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Washington Redskins Tight End Fred Davis -- Honest Response to an Aaron Hernandez Question

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Redskins TE Fred Davis
Honest Response to
Aaron Hernandez Question NFL tight ends always have each other's backs -- that is, until one of them allegedly murders a guy ... or three. Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inboxSee More: Aaron Hernandez ,  Fred Davis ,  TMZ Sports ,  10 More Exclusive ,  Washington Redskins ,  New England Patriots ,  NFL ,  TMZ Black ,  Crime ,  Arrests ,  Aaron Hernandez Arrested ,  Aaron Hernandez Trial ,  Celebrity Justice Hide these

Aaron Hernandez -- Alleged Murder Victim Laid to Rest

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Alleged Murder Victim
Laid to Rest
The semi-pro football player that Aaron Hernandez allegedly shot and killed was laid to rest Saturday.

Odin Lloyd's funeral took place at the Church of Holy Spirit in Boston. Friends, relatives, and well-wishers all showed up to pay their respects.

As TMZ previously reported ... Hernandez has been charged with Odin's murder, after his body was found not far from the ex-NFL star's home. Prosecutors claim the killing stemmed from an incident that occurred between the two men at a nightclub.

Hernandez is currently behind bars. He is being held without bail.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Hernandez -- Jail Staff and Inmates Instructed ... No Autographs, No Pictures

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Jail Staff & Inmates Warned
... NO Autographs, NO Pics

The staff at the Bristol County House of Corrections has been warned -- if you treat Aaron Hernandez like a celebrity, you're in serious trouble.

TMZ has learned ... the Bristol County Sheriff issued a warning to all jail staff members about taking photos or seeking autographs from the county's most famous alleged murderer.

And there's more ... jail staffers have been instructed to give Hernandez NO SPECIAL TREATMENT. Same food, same privileges, same everything.

We're told any staffer who violates the rule is subject to discipline ranging from an admonition to outright termination.

As for Hernandez, so far he's not acting like a prima donna athlete -- a jail rep says he's made no requests for anything special.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inboxSee More: Aaron Hernandez ,  NFL ,  Celebrity Justice ,  8 More Crime ,  Aaron Hernandez Arrested ,  Exclusive ,  Aaron Hernandez Trial ,  New England Patriots ,  TMZ Sports ,  TMZ Black ,  Arrests Hide these

Aaron Hernandez -- 'Person of Interest' in Double Murder Investigation

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
'Person of Interest' in Double Murder Probe

Aaron Hernandez has been named a person of interest in a 2012 double murder investigation, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... investigators now believe Hernandez had "some involvement" in the shooting incident from July 2012, when two men were killed in a late night drive-by in Boston.

Despite the connection, we're told officials don't have enough on Hernandez yet to elevate him from "person of interest" to "suspect." The investigation is ongoing.

As we reported, Hernandez is currently being held without bail while he awaits trial for the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd on June 17th.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

New England Patriots -- Aaron Hernandez Is Not Kid Friendly

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
New England Patriots
Aaron Hernandez is
Not Kid Friendly

The New England Patriots want all Aaron Hernandez jerseys off the backs of kids, and off the market completely -- and they don't care what it costs to make it happen.

The team just announced that fans can exchange their #81 Hernandez jerseys for a brand new Pats jersey ... totally free of charge.

A spokesperson said, "We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys, but may not understand why parents don't want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore."

The trade-in offer is further indictment of Hernandez by his former team ... which cut him even before the murder charges were announced.

The only catch to the deal is you have to exchange the jersey on July 6 or 7 at the team's pro shop at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
Non-local Pats fans -- you're stuck with an alleged murderer on your back.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inboxSee More: Aaron Hernandez ,  TMZ Sports ,  Celebrity Justice ,  9 More Aaron Hernandez Arrested ,  Aaron Hernandez Trial ,  Crime ,  New England Patriots ,  Fashion ,  Arrests ,  TMZ Black ,  Kids ,  NFL Hide these

Aaron Hernandez -- All Suspects Now Apprehended in Odin Lloyd Murder

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
All Suspects Apprehended
in Lloyd Murder
Officials believe they have now apprehended ALL THREE men involved in the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd on June 17th, including Aaron Hernandez.

The Bristol County D.A. in Massachusetts tells TMZ, law enforcement apprehended suspect #3 Ernest Wallace this morning in Miramar, Florida ... more than a thousand miles away from the scene of the crime.

As we reported, the other two suspects -- Aaron Hernandez and Carlos Ortiz -- were both arrested earlier this week.

The D.A. tells us, officials believe these are the ONLY three men involved in the murder.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inboxSee More: Aaron Hernandez ,  TMZ Sports ,  Exclusive ,  8 More Aaron Hernandez Arrested ,  Aaron Hernandez Trial ,  Crime ,  Arrests ,  Celebrity Justice ,  TMZ Black ,  NFL ,  New England Patriots Hide these

Aaron Hernandez -- Wanted Poster Fingers Third Suspect in Murder Investigation

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
Wanted Poster
Fingers 3rd Suspect

An associate of Aaron Hernandez is now officially wanted in connection with the murder of Odin Lloyd ... and police just blasted his face and name out to the world on a wanted poster.

Police believe 41-year-old Ernest Wallace was one of two other men in the car with Hernandez on June 17th ... when Lloyd was shot and killed. Wallace is wanted as an accessory after the fact in Lloyd's murder.

Police say he is armed and dangerous.

The other person in the car, Carlos Ortiz, was arrested Wednesday in Hernandez's hometown of Bristol, Connecticut.

According to the poster ... Wallace also goes by "BO" and "Fish." Police say he was last seen driving a silver/gray 2012 Chrysler 300 -- and is now most likely in Florida, Georgia, Connecticut or Massachusetts.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Rodgers -- Ryan Braun (cluck) Lied To My (cluck) Face! (cluck)

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Rodgers
Ryan Braun (cluck) Lied
To My (cluck) Face! (cluck) Aaron Rodgers -- GB Packers quarterback and chronic bet reneger -- is blaming disgraced MLB player Ryan Braun for letting his mouth write a check his ass couldn't cash.

As you know by now ... back in February, Rodgers aggressively defended his friend Ryan Braun against allegations the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder was using PEDS ... and was so confident, he "bet" his 2013 NFL salary with a random person on Twitter.

Obviously, Rodgers was wrong and lost the bet (he'll never pay up, BTW) -- and now he's throwing Braun under the bus ... telling reporters he was merely "backing up a friend."

Rodgers says he was "shocked" when Braun admitted to cheating -- saying, "[Braun] looked me in the eye ... it didn't feel great being lied to like that."

You know what else doesn't feel great, Aaron? When you enter into a wager with someone and then DON'T PAY UP!!!!

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Hernandez 'Cold Blooded' -- Posing with Fan Hours After Alleged Nightclub Dispute [PHOTO]

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
'Cold Blooded'
Posing with Fan Hours After Alleged Nightclub Dispute
TMZ has obtained a photo of Aaron Hernandez taken on June 15 ... hours after the alleged nightclub fight with Odin Lloyd that prosecutors believe led to his murder.

The photo of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was snapped at a Marshall's in Massachusetts on June 15th, two days before the shooting death of former semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd ... whom Hernandez has been charged with murdering in cold blood.

Hernandez posed with a fan for the photo -- and his expression is peculiar ... mainly the smile, which feels very forced. Maybe Hernandez was just having a rough morning, or maybe he was thinking about murdering someone ... hard to tell.

And speaking of cold blood, check out Hernandez' t-shirt ... a very interesting choice.

Hernandez was shopping with his fiancee at the time of the photo. His 8-month-old daughter also came along.

$(function() { $('#poll-707-58b6a99db5a1c8dc31028a8728e689f6 div form ul li') .children() .not($('div.styledRadio')) .filter('input:radio') .screwDefaultButtons({ checked: "url(http://ll-assets.tmz.com/www.tmz.com/default/cache/images/radio_Checked.v2013_04_30_065211.gif)", unchecked: "url(http://ll-assets.tmz.com/www.tmz.com/default/cache/images/radio_Unchecked.v2013_04_30_065211.gif)", width: 20, height: 20, pollid: "707-58b6a99db5a1c8dc31028a8728e689f6", }); });

NOTE: Poll results are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those users who chose to participate. Poll results are not reflected in real time.

Back to Poll Results

As we reported, Hernandez' lawyer tried to paint the ex-NFL star as an upstanding citizen and family man while arguing that Hernandez deserved bail.

The judge didn't buy it ... ordering Hernandez to remain in custody while he awaits trial ... but do you?

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Hernandez -- People Were Out to Kill Me

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
People Were Out to Kill Me

Aaron Hernandez was in constant fear that someone wanted him dead ... and that's why he stocked up on firearms ... sources close to the former New England Patriots star tell TMZ.

We're told ... the stories about Aaron's connections to gang members in Connecticut are real -- because the 23-year-old had joined one back when he was a teenager.

Sources connected to Aaron tell us ... he had been trying to move away from the gangster life ever since he signed his fat $40 million contract with the Patriots back in 2012, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

In fact, we're told Aaron believed people in the gangster world felt Aaron owed them something ... but it wasn't all about money -- they wanted his time and respect.

Sources say ... in the months leading up to the death of Odin Lloyd, Hernandez became paranoid that people from his "old lifestyle" were trying to kill him. It's unclear if Aaron feared scorned friends ... or rivals.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Hernandez -- 'How Much Is a Hit On You Worth?'

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
'How Much Is a Hit
On You Worth?'
When TMZ asked Aaron Hernandez about a hypothetical bounty on his head ... all he could do was smile and laugh -- then again, the footage was shot nearly 4 months before he allegedly killed someone.

We found this clip showing the former New England Patriots star leaving Saddle Ranch on March 5 ... sporting a big 'ol smile as we asked him about the NFL bounty scandal.

Now, of course, the term "hit" has taken on a totally different meaning ... as the 23-year-old faces murder charges in the slaying of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd.

What a difference a few months can make.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Aaron Hernandez -- THE SMOKING GUM

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Aaron Hernandez
THE SMOKING GUM

Prosecutors believe they have a CRUCIAL piece of evidence that proves Aaron Hernandez murdered Odin Lloyd ... and the proof tastes like cotton candy.

As Aaron stood shackled in a Massachusetts courtroom moments ago, prosecutors spelled out their case against the former New England Patriots player.

During the hearing, prosecutors say they can prove Hernandez stopped at a gas station hours before the murder and purchased gas, cigarettes and BLUE COTTON CANDY FLAVORED BUBBLICIOUS BUBBLE GUM.

After Odin was murdered, investigators say they found a shell casing in his rental car that matched the caliber of the bullet used to kill the 27-year-old ... and next to the casing -- A CHEWED PIECE OF BLUE COTTON CANDY FLAVORED BUBBLICIOUS BUBBLE GUM.

Officials believe the gum places Hernandez at the scene of the crime -- and proves he killed Odin.

Hernandez has entered a not guilty plea.

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox