Murder Trial Begins for Aaron Hernandez Accomplice

Opening statements are set to begin Tuesday in the trial of Ernest Wallace, a long-time friend of Aaron Hernandez, who prosecutors say aided the former NFL star in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd three years ago.

According to the Boston Globe, Wallace has been described as Hernandez's "right hand man." He has plead not guilty to all charges as his trial in Bristol Superior Court in Fall River commences.

Wallace is one of two associates Hernandez asked to come to his home the night of Lloyd's murder. The state claims Hernandez, along with Wallace and a third man, Carlos Ortiz, left the North Attleborough home and picked Lloyd up in Dorchester. The four men then drove to an industrial park in North Attleborough, where Lloyd was found shot to death the next day.

Three shots were heard coming from the park by a nearby employee; two other employees said they heard bangs, which they believed to be fireworks at the time.

Surveillance footage from Hernandez's home showed Wallace, Hernandez and Ortiz returning to the house minutes after Lloyd's murder.

Carlos Ortiz has also been charged in the murder. He and Wallace will be tried separately in Bristol Superior Court, the Globe said.

The murder trial of former Patriots' tight end Hernandez generated a media frenzy, from the time of his arrest in 2013 to his conviction last year.

He was sentenced to life without parole in 2015.

Hernandez will also stand trial in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston for allegedly killing two men in the South End.

Photo Credit: WHDH, 7-News