Report: Hernandez belonged to Bloods gang
BOSTON — Former New England Patriots star tight end Aaron Hernandez was a member of the Bloods street gang and was disciplined for having gang paraphernalia, according to newly released documents related to the investigation into his prison suicide.
A death report released Friday lists the Bloods under Hernandez’s gang profile and says Hernandez was disciplined for having “STG” paraphernalia. In prison, “STG” stands for Security Threat Group, a euphemism for gangs.
Hernandez was found April 19 hanging from a bed sheet in his cell in a maximum-security prison, where he was serving a life sentence for a 2013 murder. His suicide came days after he was acquitted in a 2012 double slaying.
Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. released the report in response to a public records request from The Associated Press.
A separate court filing by prosecutors included excerpts from a suicide note left by Hernandez to his fiancee.
“You have always been my soulmate and I want you to live life and know I’m always with you,” Hernandez wrote.
In the handwritten note, Hernandez calls Shayanna Jenkins Hernandez a “true angel” and “the definition of God’s love.” He urges her to “tell my story fully, but never think anything besides how much I love you.”
The excerpts were included in a filing prosecutors made as part of their opposition to a motion by Hernandez’s appellate attorneys to vacate his conviction under a state legal principle that says convictions can be erased if a defendant dies before his appeal is heard, as is the case with Hernandez.
A judge has scheduled a hearing Tuesday. COWBOYS: Quarterback Dak Prescott said Dallas “just scratched the surface” last season, his first in the league.
“We’re just getting started. I know we’ve been hitting these (offseason) workouts, and we’re just excited for what we can be as a team.”
Two specific reasons Prescott should be excited about the 2017 offense are the addition of fourthround pick Ryan Switzer and a fouryear contract extension signed by Jason Witten.
Switzer was drafted last week 133rd overall, two spots ahead of where Prescott was selected a year ago. Switzer’s size and ability immediately draw comparisons to Cole Beasley, Prescott’s top target in 2016.
Witten, who had 95 targets last year, agreed to the extension in late March.
GIANTS: Brandon Marshall has yet to play one game for New York, but he has already decided that his last game will be for them.
On stage at Saturday’s Health & Fitness Expo at MetLife Stadium, the 33-year-old wide receiver said he plans to play out the two-year contract he signed with the team this offseason and then retire.
RAMS: Receiver Tavon Austin had wrist surgery this week and is expected to be sidelined for organized team activities, the team confirmed Friday.