13 Athletes Charged In Murder Cases - Page 6

Former jocks are popping up in headlines for all the wrong reasons. The recent first-degree murder conviction of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez makes two former NFL players accused of catching bodies this week alone.

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In most cases, those hefty contracts also mean the best legal team money can buy, which is why you rarely hear of a pro athlete getting convicted for catching a body. That doesn’t mean they weren’t accused. Some of these 13 athletes charged in murder cases are either dead, in jail, pleaded down to lesser charges, or were found completely innocent.

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Photo: WENN

photo: WENN

Ray Lewis

Heralded Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis found himself in a world of trouble in 2000 when he was charged with two murders. He ultimately pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, and the deaths of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar remain unsolved.

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O.J. Simpson

“The Juice” is currently in prison, but it’s because of a robbery charge and not the alleged murders of Ronald Goldman and his ex-wife Nichole Brown. Simpson was charged with murder and surprisingly acquitted in what is now referred to as the “Trial of the Century.”

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Suge Knight

Former Death Row Records executive Suge Knight’s NFL career only lasted a brief two games with the Los Angeles Rams during the strike-shortened 1987 season. Technically that still makes him a former pro athlete, and he’s currently on trial for the murder of Terry Carter.

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Aaron Hernandez

After a week of deliberations, a Massachusetts jury sentenced former New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Hernandez to life in prison without parole for a conviction of first-degree murder in the 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd.

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Oscar Pistorius

Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide in 2014 for his role in the 2013 shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Scott “Razor Ramon” Hall

Former WWE and WCW wrestler Razor Ramon admitted shooting a man in 1983 during a shocking episode of ESPN’s E:60. He was charged with second-degree murder, but the charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Jayson Williams

After fatally shooting his limousine driver in 2002, former New Jersey Nets power forward Jayson Williams served five years in prison for aggravated assault. In earlier trials, he was acquitted of reckless manslaughter and aggravated manslaughter.

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Chris Benoit

Former WWE wrestler wasn’t alive to be formally charged for the 2007 death of his wife and seven-year-old son. After the killings, he hung himself from a weight machine and authorities ruled the incident as a murder-suicide.

Lawrence Phillips

After already serving time for spousal abuse and auto theft, former Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips is the prime suspect in the killing of his fellow Kern Valley State Prison inmate and cellmate Damion Soward.

Javaris Crittendon

The Washington Wizards guard who infamously got into a gun incident with Gilbert Arenas was charged with killing 23-year-old Julian Jones in 2011, and he is still awaiting trial.

Ugueth Urbina

Former Expos and Marlins pitcher was convicted of attempted murder in 2007 for allegedly attacking and injuring workers on his ranch with machetes and pourin gasoline on them. He served a 14-year sentence in Venezuela.

Jovan Belcher

Sadly, no judge or jury was needed when Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins before killing himself in 2013. The case was ruled a murder-suicide.