Judge Denies Hernandez's Request For Dismissal

A judge has rejected a motion by lawyers for Aaron Hernandez to dismiss charges stemming from the 2013 slaying of a Boston man whose body was found near the former New England Patriot's home.

Hernandez's lawyers argued that prosecutors had not shown probable cause to sustain the murder charge against Hernandez in the death of Odin Lloyd and had not presented any evidence or motive for the slaying.

The Bristol Superior Court judge said in her ruling Thursday that probable cause, and a defendant's guilt, can be established by circumstantial evidence, and prosecutors don't need to prove a motive to secure a murder conviction.

Hernandez is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to killing Lloyd, who was dating Hernandez's fiancee's sister. His trial is scheduled to start Jan. 9.