Aaron Hernandez, a star player for the New England Patriots football team, was charged with the murder of a Dorchester man June 26, six days after TV news helicopters drew local attention for following his SUV on a drive on the Jamaicaway.
On the afternoon of June 20, three low-flying helicopters filled central Jamaica Plain with noise as they followed Hernandez on his drive through the area. TV and daily newspaper reporters began trailing Hernandez after homicide investigators searched his North Attleborough home, despite his having not been announced as a suspect at that point.
Hernandez, a star tight end who played in last year’s Super Bowl, was cut by the Patriots after his arrest. He reportedly pleaded innocent to charges of murder and illegal gun possession in the death of Odin Lloyd. Lloyd was found shot to death in North Attleborough on June 17.