Bail restrictions eased for Hernandez cousin

FALL RIVER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) - A judge has eased bail restrictions for a cousin of Aaron Hernandez who faces two charges in connection with the murder case against the former New England Patriots tight end.

Fall River Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh ruled Thursday that Tanya Singleton may stay in Franklin, in a neighboring county, rather than being limited to Bristol County, if she posts $15,000 cash bail, The Providence Journal reports.

Singleton's lawyer E. Peter Parker says she has a free place to stay in Franklin. As FOX 25 first reported last month, Hernandez still holds the lease on a two-bedroom condo in Franklin. It's the so called flop-house where police found ammunition and other evidence possibly connected to the Lloyd killing. Parker would not say if the flop-house is where Singleton might stay. He would only confirm that the residence is somewhere in Franklin.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in June death of Odin Lloyd of Boston, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's girlfriend.

Singleton has pleaded not guilty to criminal contempt and conspiracy to commit accessory after the fact. Prosecutors charged her with contempt for refusing to testify before a grand jury despite immunity. The conspiracy charge alleges she aided two Hernandez associates who have pleaded not guilty to accessory to murder after the fact.

Parker said Thursday she would have a hard time posting bail, and doesn't have the money to live away from her Bristol, Conn., home. He asked that she be allowed to drive back to Massachusetts twice a week to meet with probation officers.

"This is a family of extremely limited means," he said. Singleton lives with her father and her two young children.

A source told FOX 25 that her father may put up his Bristol, Conn. home to help her make bail.

Prosecutor William McCauley urged the judge not to ease the restrictions, set when Singleton's bail was granted in October.

Singleton's next pretrial conference is Jan. 29.

Cox Media Group