Sports

Hernandez Cousin Made to Testify Says She Can’t Recall Facts

Published

11 years ago

March 25, 2015

Former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez, left, sits beside his lawyer Charles Rankin during his murder trial at Bristol County Superior Court, Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in Fall River, Mass. Hernandez is charged with killing semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in June 2013. (AP Photo/The Boston Globe, Aram Boghosian, Pool)

MICHELLE R. SMITH, Associated Press

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — A cousin of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez took the stand in his murder trial Tuesday after being ordered to testify, giving him a big smile and telling the prosecutor she couldn’t remember details of what happened in the days surrounding the killing.

Jennifer Mercado was granted immunity before being called as a witness by the prosecution, which has charged Hernandez with murder for the June 17, 2013, killing of Odin Lloyd. Lloyd, 27, was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancee.

Mercado smiled at Hernandez, 25, from the witness box as she testified, contradicting herself and saying her memory was bad. As she was questioned by prosecutor William McCauley, she told jurors dozens of times that she could not recall what she saw and did. She also said she couldn’t remember details she recalled for the grand jury that investigated the Lloyd killing.

“I don’t remember. It was a long time ago,” she said, after being asked about conversations she had with Hernandez after he was arrested.

She did say, however, that she remembered Hernandez telling her he was innocent.

When asked if there was something that interferes with her memory, Mercado said she takes medications for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and major depression.

Mercado’s sister, Tanya Singleton, who lives with Mercado, pleaded guilty to criminal contempt and spent seven months behind bars for failing to testify before the grand jury. Singleton has also pleaded not guilty to helping Hernandez co-defendant Ernest Wallace flee to Georgia after the killing. Wallace and Carlos Ortiz have pleaded not guilty to the killing and will be tried later.

Mercado described the relationship her sister had with Hernandez as close and said Singleton treated him as a son. Singleton’s oldest son, who is 8, in turn looked up to Hernandez as a surrogate father, calling him “Daddy Aaron,” she said.

On questioning from McCauley, Mercado first testified that she did not recall having a conversation with Hernandez about getting money or about getting money for her sister. But as McCauley pressed the point, she conceded she did talk to him about getting money for her sister to make her more comfortable with things like food and cosmetics while she sat in jail.

She also recounted conversations she had with Hernandez about why her sister, who had terminal breast cancer, was in jail.

Mercado said Hernandez told her: “She shouldn’t be there because she’s sick and because she doesn’t know anything.”

Speaking about his own case, “He said that he was innocent, that he didn’t do it, and that God would see it through,” she said.

Mercado also testified about drug use by Wallace and Ortiz, saying that the two smoked marijuana and that she believed they also smoked PCP, based on a particular smell of burning plastic. She said that when Wallace was on PCP, he would sweat a lot and act jittery, at some times scaring her.

“He would act crazy, erratic, argumentative, would sometimes scream. Mumbo jumbo like it wasn’t even English,” she said on questioning from Hernandez lawyer Charles Rankin.

Hernandez’s defense team has said in court filings that it wants to call David Greenblatt, an expert in PCP, to the stand. Both sides have said Wallace and Ortiz were seen smoking PCP on June 15, 2013. Prosecutors have opposed calling the witness, saying his testimony would be irrelevant because the two smoked PCP more than 27 hours before the killing. Greenblatt said in court papers that symptoms of PCP psychosis can include aggressive or violent behavior and can last for days.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

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December 4, 2025

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Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

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7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

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Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.