Judge issues gag order in Hernandez murder case

Hernandez was in court on Feb. 7. (Twitter/@WesleyLowery)

The judge presiding over the Aaron Hernandez murder case is doing her best to make sure Hernandez gets a fair trial in front of an impartial jury. Bristol Superior Court Judge E. Susan Garsh imposed a gag order on Friday that will apply to both the prosecution and Hernandez's defense team, according to the Boston Globe.

Both sides are prohibited from discussing the case outside of the courtroom.

Here's part of Garsh's gag order, via the Globe.

None of the lawyers appearing in this case or any person with supervisory authority over them shall release or authorize the release of information about this proceeding that a reasonable person would expect to be disseminated by any means of public communication if the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that it will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing potential trial jurors or witnesses or will have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused.

According to the Associated Press, Hernandez's lawyers had sought the gag order because they believed the state was making 'prejudicial out-of-court statements.' Hernandez's defense team was unhappy about an October incident where Dolphins lineman Mike Pouncey -- a friend of Hernandez's -- was served a subpoena at Gillette Stadium after Miami played the Patriots.

Hernandez's attorney's referred to the incident as a 'publicity stunt.' The prosecution denied that Pouncey was subpoenaed

The former Patriots tight end has been in jail since June 26 when he was arrested for his possible involvement in the death of Odin Lloyd. Hernandez is facing a total of six charges in the case, including a first-degree murder charge.

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