National Football League

Judge in Aaron Hernandez murder trial whittling down jury pool

Published Jan. 15, 2015 11:54 a.m. ET

foxsports

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- The judge overseeing the murder trial of former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez is working to whittle down the pool of more than 1,000 potential jurors in the case.

Bristol County Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh is reviewing written questionnaires that prospective jurors completed. She was joined in the courtroom Thursday by Hernandez, his defense team and prosecutors.

Lawyers on both sides are raising concerns they have about the answers and asking Garsh to dismiss jurors for good cause.

One potential juror was excused after expressing the belief that Hernandez was guilty.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to the June 2013 slaying of semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee. Jury selection in the trial began last week.