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Aaron Hernandez Murder Trial: Who's Who

A list of who's who in the murder trial of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez:

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AARON HERNANDEZ

The 25-year-old was a star player with the Patriots with a $40 million contract when, prosecutors say, he killed Odin Lloyd. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty. He has also pleaded not guilty to murder charges stemming from a 2012 double slaying in Boston, where he is accused of killing two men after someone accidentally spilled a drink on him at a nightclub. No trial date is set in the Boston case, and prosecutors in the Lloyd case will not be allowed to tell the jury about the double slaying.

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ODIN LLOYD

Lloyd, 27, was a semipro football player for the Boston Bandits and was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins.

Odin Lloyd
Odin Lloyd. (Family photo)

He was found shot to death June 17, 2013, in an industrial park near Hernandez's home in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Investigators believe he was killed with a .45-caliber Glock, which has never been found.

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ERNEST WALLACE and CARLOS ORTIZ

Both have pleaded not guilty to murder. They hail from Hernandez's hometown of Bristol, Connecticut. Prosecutors say they and Hernandez picked up Lloyd shortly before he was killed.

Wallace Ortiz
Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz. (WBZ-TV)

They are not listed as witnesses by the prosecution but could be called by the defense. They will be tried separately.

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SHAYANNA JENKINS

Jenkins, Hernandez's fiancee, is charged with perjury and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have said she lied dozens of times to a grand jury investigating Lloyd's killing. Jenkins is listed on the prosecution's list of potential witnesses, and this week, prosecutors petitioned the court to grant her immunity for the murder trial.

Shayanna Jenkins
Shayanna Jenkins in Fall River Superior Court, Nov. 6, 2013. (WBZ-TV)

The matter was sealed, and the outcome of the request was not clear. Jenkins and Hernandez have a 2-year-old daughter together.

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TANYA SINGLETON

Singleton, Hernandez's cousin, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit accessory after the fact. Singleton, of Bristol, pleaded guilty last year to criminal contempt for failing to testify before the grand jury, and she was given probation.

Tanya Singleton
Tanya Singleton in Fall River Superior Court, Aug. 12, 2014. (WBZ-TV)

A judge spared her prison time because she's being treated for advanced cancer.

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JENNIFER MERCADO

Mercado, Hernandez's cousin, lives with her sister, Singleton, in Bristol. Mercado is listed as a potential witness for the prosecution. She was granted immunity by a judge this week following a petition by prosecutors, which means she could be compelled to testify. It was not clear what testimony she could offer.

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ROBERT KRAFT and BILL BELICHICK

New England Patriots owner and coach.

Kraft-Belichick
Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Both are listed as a potential witness for the prosecution. It's not yet known whether either will be called.

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MIKE POUNCEY and BRANDON SPIKES

Pouncey, a center for the Miami Dolphins, and Spikes, a Buffalo Bills linebacker this past season, are also listed as potential witnesses for the prosecution.

Mike Pouncey
Mike Pouncey. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The two played football with Hernandez at the University of Florida. Spikes also played with Hernandez on the Patriots.

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BRISTOL COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE SUSAN GARSH

Garsh has been a judge for more than 20 years after being appointed to the bench in 1993 by Republican Gov. Bill Weld.

McCauley-Garsh
Prosecutor William McCauley and Judge Susan Garsh. (WBZ-TV)

Prosecutors had asked Garsh to step aside from the case because they said she had an antagonistic relationship with prosecutor William McCauley. Garsh declined.

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DEFENSE TEAM

James Sultan and Charles Rankin lead the firm Rankin and Sultan and are highly respected criminal defense lawyers.

Aaron Hernandez Attorney
Aaaron Hernandez talks to his attorney Michael Fee, July 9, 2014. (WBZ-TV)

Michael Fee, a former federal prosecutor, is a well-known defense attorney mostly focusing on white-collar crime and business matters.

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PROSECUTORS

Assistant District Attorneys William McCauley, Patrick Bomberg and Roger Michel are the lead prosecutors on the case.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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