Opening Statements Made In Hernandez Friend's Murder Trial

FALL RIVER (AP) — The prosecution and the defense have given opening statements in the murder trial of a friend of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez.

Ernest Wallace is charged with murder in the June 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd, whose bullet-riddled body was found in an industrial park in North Attleborough. Hernandez was convicted last year of first-degree murder in Lloyd's slaying and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Prosecutor Patrick Bomberg said Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court that Lloyd's shooting could not have been carried out without Wallace's cooperation.

Wallace's attorney, David Meier, said his client had no idea what Hernandez planned and was not an "active participant" in Lloyd's murder.

Hernandez and Wallace are from Bristol, Connecticut. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee.