Juror dismissed from Aaron Hernandez trial for personal reasons

by The Associated Press
Steven Senne / Reuters

FALL RIVER, Mass. - The judge overseeing the trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez has dismissed a juror for personal reasons.

Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh did not elaborate Friday on why the male juror was dismissed.

He is the third juror to be dismissed from the trial. Fifteen jurors remain, and three of those will be alternates chosen randomly after closing arguments.

After the juror was dismissed, Hernandez's fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, took the stand. She was granted immunity before she testified.

She and Hernandez have a 2-year-old daughter together and were high school sweethearts.

Jenkins has pleaded not guilty to perjury in connection with the case. Prosecutors say she lied to a grand jury investigating the killing.

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