Aaron Hernandez Pleads Not Guilty to First Degree Murder

Aaron Hernandez pleaded not guilty to first degree murder on Friday, The Associated Press reports. In addition to the murder charge, Hernandez also pleaded not guilty to five other charges, including weapons and ammunition possession charges, in the shooting death of a friend.

His attorneys agreed that Hernandez will continue to be held without bail, but reserved the right to request it later. Hernandez is due back in court Oct. 9.

The former New England Patriots star was indicted for shooting Odin Lloyd five times in an industrial park. Lloyd's body was found on June 17, approximately a mile from Hernandez's home. Authorities say he was killed with a .45-caliber Glock, which they haven't yet recovered. Though prosecutors say there is footage of Hernandez at his house with a Glock in the hours proceeding and following Lloyd's murder.

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According to the prosecution, Hernandez, 23, killed Lloyd because the deceased had talked to people with whom the former NFL star had issues at a nightclub a few days prior. Hernandez is also suspected of being involved in a separate 2012 double homicide near a Boston nightclub. While investigating Lloyd's murder, police found an SUV that had been tied to the previous deaths at Hernandez's uncle's house in Bristol, Conn.

Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz, who were allegedly with Hernandez at the time of Lloyd's death, also pleaded not guilty to charges of accessory to murder after the fact and a firearms charge, respectively.

Following Hernandez's arrest in June, the Patriots released the tight end, whom the team had signed to a five-year, $40 million contract last summer.