Colts’ Lefeged released from jail
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Police seeking car mirror in Hernandez case: A Massachusetts prosecutor is seeking the public’s help in finding a car mirror that may be connected to the murder case against former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez is facing a murder charge in connection with the death of Odin Lloyd, whose body was found June 17 near Hernandez’s home. WASHINGTON — Indianapolis Colts safety Joe Lefeged was released from jail Tuesday following his weekend arrest in Washington on a gun possession charge.
Lefeged was arrested during a traffic stop after police said they found a semiautomatic pistol in the car in which he was riding. Police say they also smelled marijuana in the car and found an open bottle containing vodka and orange juice in the center console. Lefeged and another passenger were taken into custody after they tried to run from officers, and the driver got away, authorities have said.
D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Frederick Sullivan ordered Lefeged released on personal recognizance after a brief hearing in which the third-year pro appeared in an orange jail jumpsuit. Prosecutors asked to keep him behind bars as the case moves toward a possible indictment.
“This is a case involving a traffic stop, indicia of drug use, flight from police, recovery of an open container,” prosecutor Ben Schrader told the judge.
Lefeged’s lawyer, David Schertler, asked that his client be released, saying the Colts have considered him “an exemplary citizen” during his time with the team.
Police say the Chevy Camaro convertible was pulled over in northeast Washington just after midnight Saturday for speeding and because a backseat passenger was standing upright in the car. Police say the driver stopped but then drove away, nearly striking the officers who had surrounded the car. Lefeged and another passenger later ran but were caught in different locations, police say.