Hernandez Associate Held On Bail On Accessory Charge

An associate of Aaron Hernandez pleaded not guilty to an accessory to murder charge related to the case against the former New England Patriots player.

Carlos Ortiz was arraigned Friday in Fall River Superior Court following his indictment on a charge of accessory to murder after the fact in the killing of Odin Lloyd.

The defense and prosecution agreed that Ortiz would be held on $500,000 cash bail until a Nov. 20 hearing.

Ortiz previously pleaded not guilty to a weapons charge and had been held without bail.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in Lloyd's death. Prosecutors say Ortiz and "right-hand man" Ernest Wallace were with Hernandez when Lloyd was shot to death at an industrial park in June.

Hernandez's girlfriend pleaded not guilty this week to a perjury charge related to the case.