Cousin of ex-Patriot Hernandez Pleads Not Guilty

(NECN: Eileen Curran) - A cousin of former Patriot star Aaron Hernandez is being held without bail on a new charge connected to the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Tanya Singleton, 37, was all smiles entering the Fall River Superior Court Monday, despite being charged with a very serious crime.

Singleton faces a count of conspiracy to commit accessory after the fact of murder in the death of Lloyd.

Hernandez is charged with first degree murder in the case. His alleged accomplice, Ernest Wallace, is charged as an accessory after the fact. Prosecutors say Singleton helped Wallace flee the area after the June murder.

"We allege she drove Mr. Wallace to Georgia,” said Bristol County District Attorney spokesperson Gregg Miliote. “Her car then broke down and she purchased him a bus ticket from Georgia to Florida."

Also recently indicted in the case, Hernandez’s fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins. She’s charged with perjury and will be arraigned on Oct. 15.

Singleton has been held without bail since last month, when she was charged with contempt of court for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating the Lloyd murder. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges. If convicted of conspiracy to commit accessory after the fact, Singleton could face seven years in prison. She will be back in court Oct. 24.

Her lawyer, E. Peter Parker, would not talk with reporters following the arraignment.

“I have nothing to say to anyone,” he said walking from the courthouse.

Hernandez is due back in court Oct. 9 for a pre-trial conference. The judge may rule then on a number of motions filed by the defense.

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