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Justice Denies Request To Reinstate Hernandez Conviction

Aaron Hernandez listens during his murder trial in 2015 for the killing of Odin Lloyd. A photo of Lloyd is displayed on a courtroom monitor. (Steven Senne/AP Pool)
Aaron Hernandez listens during his murder trial in 2015 for the killing of Odin Lloyd. A photo of Lloyd is displayed on a courtroom monitor. (Steven Senne/AP Pool)

A single justice of the highest court in Massachusetts has denied prosecutors' request to reinstate the murder conviction of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez.

The conviction in the 2013 fatal shooting of Odin Lloyd was voided by a Superior Court judge in May because Hernandez killed himself in prison. Under Massachusetts legal principle, courts typically erase the convictions of defendants who die before their direct appeals can be heard.

Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn III in July filed an appeal with a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, saying erasing the conviction would undermine the public's trust in jury verdicts.

In a brief ruling issued Friday, Justice David Lowy said Quinn's request is "exercised only in exceptional circumstances."

Quinn's office did not immediately return a call for comment Monday.

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