One of Aaron Hernandez's lawyers says he took a moral stand when the prosecution wanted to introduce claims about the disgraced ex-NFL star's sex life into his double murder trial last year.
"As a gay lawyer for 37 years, as a gay man who has been married to another man for over 36 years, I found it outrageous that the government would be trying to use someone's sexuality to prop up a case that they had no business bringing in the first place," George Leontire said in "Aaron Hernandez Uncovered," the two-part documentary on the former Patriots tight end that aired this weekend on the Oxygen network.
But apparently, Leontire has no qualms participating in a shallow docu-series that cavalierly addresses one of Hernandez's darkest secrets. The topic of Hernandez's alleged homosexuality was first discussed last April, when investigative reporter Michele McPhee said police were exploring it as a possible motive for Odin Lloyd's murder in 2013. According to McPhee, law enforcement officials believe Lloyd called Hernandez a gay slur, which motivated him to kill.
Simultaneously, an inmate at Souza-Baranowski Correction Center, where Hernandez was serving time for Lloyd's slaying, claimed he carried on a close relationship with Hernandez in prison. The attorney for Kyle Kennedy, a 22-year-old who's incarcerated for robbing a Cumberland Farms store at knife point, said at a press conference last April his client believes Hernandez intended to gift him with a $50,000 watch before he committed suicide in his cell.
These revelations, and the ensuing media attention they attracted, prompted condemnation from some high-minded outlets. The New Yorker, for example, called the reporting on the topic "worrisome."
There's no doubt the tabloidization of Hernandez's prison sex life was sordid and in poor taste. But McPhee's original reporting on the manner did not focus on the specifics of Hernandez's relationships or any of their intimate details. She said police were investigating it as a reason for a person's death. That's newsworthy, as there is still no clear motive for Lloyd's murder. Hernandez was found guilty because he was a brazen killer who barely attempted to cover his tracks. The evidence was overwhelming; the reasoning was unclear.
"Aaron Hernandez Uncovered" provides a pro-Hernandez spin on his destructive life. Jose Baez, Hernandez's defense attorney in the double murder case, is listed as a consulting producer. Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, the former player's fiance, is featured prominently and named in the credits as well.
These people claim to care about Hernandez and the way he is portrayed. Yet, they used his sexuality as a promotional tool to grab eyeballs –– much like the Daily Mail plastered its pages with pictures of Hernandez's alleged "inmate lover" last spring.
In the documentary, Hernandez's sexuality is brought up in passing, with no direct connection made to either murder case. Leontire says Hernandez was "clearly gay," adding it caused him "immense pain." He did not expand on either claim.
The most salacious accusation comes from Hernandez's college ex-girlfriend. She nonchalantly mentions Hernandez told her he was sexually abused as a child, which contributed to his inner-turmoil.
"Towards the end of his first trial into the second trial, the letters became more intense," Alyssa Anderson said. "He did open up about some of the struggles he had gone through as a kid. He admitted to being molested as a kid, but he never dealt with it. And it led to issues in his sexuality."
That is one of the most personal details that can ever be revealed about another person. If true, it is far more explosive than any off-hand comment made in a radio interview or tawdry gossip about whether Hernandez was romantically involved with another prisoner.
Anderson's dark secret does not contribute to a greater psychological profile of Hernandez. She makes the comment, and then it floats away into the proverbial ether. The extent of the follow up consists of an aggregated article on the Oxygen network's website.
When asked about his motivation to participate in the documentary, Baez said Hernandez's real story needs to be told. Apparently, that "real story" is best expressed in a shallow money grab. The four hours of "Aaron Hernandez Uncovered" did not provide any new insight into him or the murder cases. But it did supply more lewd material, which is exactly what Baez and company allege to be trying to expunge.
