• NFL

Hernandez's fiancee and cousin accused in relation to murder

The fiancee of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has been formally accused on a perjury charge in connection with the killing of a friend of his, a Massachusetts prosecutor said, bringing to five the number of people facing charges in the case.

A grand jury indicted Shayanna Jenkins, 24, on a single count in relation to the investigation into the June 17 death of Odin Lloyd.

It wasn't clear what led to the charge. Sutter's spokesman, Gregg Miliote, said he could not comment until her arraignment, which has not been set. A message left for Jenkins' lawyer was not immediately returned.

Lloyd, a 27-year-old semiprofessional football player from Boston, was found shot to death in an industrial park in North Attleborough, Mass., near Hernandez's home, where Jenkins also lives. Lloyd had been dating Jenkins' sister.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and weapons charges in Lloyd's death and is being held without bail.

Prosecutors say Hernandez killed Lloyd because he was upset with him for talking to some people at a nightclub with whom Hernandez had problems.

Three others are facing charges in the case.

Hernandez's associate Ernest Wallace has pleaded not guilty to being an accessory to murder after the fact.

Carlos Ortiz, another associate of Hernandez and a key witness, was also formally accused on the same charge by a grand jury.

Ortiz's attorney, John Connors, said in an interview that his client will plead not guilty and had no further comment. Previously Ortiz had been facing only a gun charge, to which he pleaded not guilty.

On Thursday, it was revealed that Ortiz had changed his story. Ortiz had repeatedly said Hernandez and Wallace, alleged to be Hernandez's "right-hand man," both got out of the car they were in with Lloyd before Ortiz heard shots ring out. Ortiz now says only Hernandez and Lloyd got out.

Hernandez cousin Tanya Singleton was indicted on a new charge of conspiracy to commit accessory after the fact, Sutter said. She had been indicted earlier on a charge of criminal contempt after allegedly refusing to testify before the grand jury hearing evidence in the case. Prosecutors say they offered her immunity.

A message seeking comment was left for her attorney.

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This article first appeared on ESPN.com

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