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Aaron Hernandez makes court appearance with new lawyers

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — Convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez appeared in court Thursday with a new legal team representing him for an alleged double murder in 2012.

The former New England Patriot is accused of fatally shooting Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in Boston’s South End July 16, 2012 after one of the men accidentally spilled a drink on him. He has pleaded not guilty.

Florida attorney Jose Baez -- who successfully defended Casey Anthony in her 2011 trial in the death of her daughter -- and Harvard Law School professor Ronald Sullivan are now representing Hernandez, replacing the legal team that unsuccessfully defended him during a trial for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

During Thursday’s hearing, the judge granted permission for Hernandez’s former attorneys, James Sultan and

Charles Rankin, to transfer Hernandez's cell phone to the new attorneys.

"Like every piece of evidence, you examine every bit of evidence, do a thorough job and don't leave any stone unturned. Why would we leave the cell phone without looking at it. I think that that would be foolish," said Baez.

Baezis asking if the trial can be pushed back to early spring, so he can learn every detail about the case.

"He's filed a declaration that he is not guilty. We plan on representing him as such," said Baez.
Baez, who is based in Orlando, often represents high profile clients and said that he's not doing the case pro bono.

The former tight end is already serving a life sentence in the 2013 killing of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd.

He's also charged with the non-fatal shooting of a surviving witness several months later.

Hernandez’s next court date is Aug. 16 for a litigation conference.