Former Gator faces first-degree murder charge

Former Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd.

Hernandez has been a subject of investigation in the crime since Lloyd's body was found more than one week ago near the North Attleborough, Mass, home of Hernandez. The first-degree murder charge is one of six filed against Hernandez, the other five all being weapons charges.

Around 8:45 a.m., police arrived at the home of Hernandez and arrested him. The New England Patriots announced almost immediately they had released him after signing him to a five-year, $40 million contract last summer.

By Wednesday afternoon, Hernandez arrived at a district courthouse for his arraignment. The prosecution spent about 30 minutes running through its case against Hernandez, an elaborate story starting at a Boston nightclub and ending three days later when Hernandez and two friends allegedly picked Lloyd up from his house around 2:30 on the morning of his eventual murder.

The prosecution stacked examples of surveillance video, text messages and witnesses against Hernandez after he pleaded not guilty. Hernandez was denied bail and is being held in a Massachusetts jail.

Hernandez is the first National Football Legue player to face a murder charge since Rae Carruth in 2001.