Former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez pleaded not guilty in a Boston courtroom Thursday to a charge of trying to silence a witness in a double murder case against him -- by shooting the man in the face.
Hernandez appeared to be sporting a new tattoo that said "Lifetime" on the right side of his neck, as well as slightly longer hair.
Prosecutors say Hernandez shot the witness in 2013 in Florida after the man made a remark about a 2012 double slaying. In that case, Hernandez is accused of gunning down two men over a spilled drink.
The district attorney says Alexander Bradley was the only witness to the double murder.
The next court date has been set for June 4. The district attorney wants the trial set for November, but the defense is asking for January. The judge says he wants the trial to start this calendar year.
The judge wants attorneys from both sides to communicate and agree to a schedule. Hernandez does not need to appear in court on June 4.
Hernandez was convicted last month in the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancée's sister.
