Shooting survivors testify in hearing for Aaron Hernandez double murder trial

BOSTON — Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez appeared in court Tuesday as a judge heard arguments on motions filed by his lawyers in his upcoming double murder trial.

Hernandez is charged in the 2012 fatal shootings of two men he encountered at a Boston nightclub.

Prosecutors say Hernandez gunned down the men after one of them bumped into him. The former tight end has pleaded not guilty in the deaths of Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu.

Hernandez's lawyers have asked the judge to bar prosecutors from using the contents of his cell phone.

Two survivors of the shooting, who were in the BMW during the shooting, were called to give testimony in court Monday.

Raychides Sanches appeared in court and took the stand to give testimony, appearing publicly for the first time.

Sanches told attorneys the shooter said "what's up negro?" before he started shooting.

"The only thing I remember is when he started shooting, the window blow up," Sanches said in court.

Prosecutors on Tuesday asked Sanches to describe the chaotic scene during a hearing in Suffolk Superior Court.

When asked who the shooter was, Sanches said "Hernandez" and nodded in his direction.

Hernandez already is serving a life sentence in the 2013 killing of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd.

His trial in the double slaying is scheduled for February.

Associated Press