Aaron Hernandez convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life without parole

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder in the June 2013 death of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd.

Need to Know

• Deliberations spanned nearly 36 hours over seven days before the 12-panel jury finally reached its decision.

• Hernandez may already be dealing with the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars, but he still faces charges stemming from a 2012 double murder in Boston.

• The Hernandez murder conviction puts a stunning end to an NFL career that showed promise.

• Reaction on Twitter from NFL players was swift in the moments following the announcement of the guilty verdict.

Further Reading/Viewing

• ESPN legal analyst Roger Cossack discusses the jury verdict in this video.

• SI's Greg A. Bedard wrote about his encounters with Hernandez: "The Aaron Hernandez I once covered used to playfully wrestle with the young children of Patriots staffers on the field after training camp. I never thought a day like this would come, even when I saw a glimpse of the other side of Hernandez - the aggressive, angry side." [MMQB]

• The Associated Press broke down key moments in the Hernandez murder trial, including a comprehensive look at the evidence presented and a look at testimony from Hernandez's fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins. [The Associated Press]

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