BOSTON — The California tattoo artist who inked guns and “God forgives” on Aaron Hernandez testified in front of the jury Friday.
In court, David Nelson revealed that he did not want to be a witness in the high profile case. He said he hired a lawyer to fight the subpoena that compelled his appearance.
Nelson said Hernandez visited a Hermosa Beach, California, tattoo parlor in March 2013, eight months after the drive-by shooting that killed Safiro Furtado and Daniel De’Abreu. Prosecutors allege Hernandez got the tattoos, which include the cylinder or a revolver and the words "God Forgives" to memorialize the double-murder.
Team Hernandez said the art work was in no way connected to the crime, arguing that gun tattoos are common -- even pop star Rihanna has one.
Earlier Friday, the jury heard testimony from a former Massachusetts State Trooper, Thomas Murphy. Following Murphy, ATF agent Matthew Kelsch took the stand. Agent Kelsch was the one who examined the Blackberry tied to the case -- Kelsch said the Blackberry had no SIM or data card inside, making it difficult to extract any deleted items.
Hernandez's defense attorney pointed out during Agent Kelsch's testimony that there were more photos of Hernandez's daughter on the phone than of Hernandez's tattoos.
FOX25 has learned that the state's star witness, Alexander Bradley, arrived in Massachusetts and could be called to the stand as soon as Monday.
[ Wednesday, March 1: "Hernandez portrayed as hothead, wrongly accused" ]
[ Thursday, March 2: "Graphic descriptions dominate Hernandez trial testimony" ]
[ Friday, March 3: "Jurors in Aaron Hernandez murder trial see site of killings" ]
Monday, March 6: " Defense in Hernandez double murder trial claims new evidence"
[ Tuesday, March 7: "Camera ordered off after capturing Hernandez juror as graphic photos are shown" ]
[ Wednesday, March 8: "Cameras allowed back in court, bouncer testifies" ]
[ Thursday, March 9: "Shooting survivor, bouncer back on stand in Hernandez murder trial" ]
Friday, March 10: "Defense calls for mistrial in Aaron Hernandez double murder trial"
Monday, March 13: "Impending nor'easter forces brief delay in Hernandez trial"
NO COURT TUESDAY, MARCH 14
[ Wednesday, March 15: Tattoo artist testifies about bullets, 'God Forgives' ]
[ Thursday, March 16: "Criminalist: No way to connect Aaron Hernandez to gun by DNA evidence" ]
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