( CNN ) -- The families of two men allegedly gunned down by Aaron Hernandez won a partial victory Tuesday when a judge ruled that $ 5 million in assets from his home can be frozen pending the outcome of his double-murder trial and their lawsuit . The ruling preserves their right to possible collection of money in the future . The families are happy with the decision , an attorney said . `` They 're gratified that the judge acknowledged the level of their loss by allowing the $ 5 million attachment , '' civil attorney Bill Kennedy told CNN . However , the ruling also means the families of Safiro Furtado and Daniel Abreu ca n't automatically lay claim to an estimated $ 3.3 million Hernandez claims he 's still owed by his old NFL team if the New England Patriots should pay him . Prosecutors charge that in July 2012 , Hernandez fired a .38-caliber gun into the victims ' car after Abreu accidentally bumped into Hernandez , causing him to spill his drink . The suspected murder weapon has been recovered . Hernandez has pleaded not guilty . The Patriots are locked in a salary dispute with the NFL Players Association , which is reportedly taking Hernandez ' position . In court testimony , the Patriots have taken the position they do n't owe Hernandez any more money . The Patriots have declined comment to CNN on the matter . The organization has stipulated it would notify the court if it intends to pay Hernandez any additional money . `` The reality is the $ 3.3 million , that right to be paid , is probably the only money my ( clients ) will ever be able to see , `` Kennedy pleaded in a hearing last week before the judge . However , the court 's written ruling also means the Furtado and Abreu families can pursue the Patriots to try to learn more about Hernandez ' contract , including what he was paid and what he may be owed . In a separate civil lawsuit filed before the Boston case , the family of slaying victim Odin Lloyd also has a court attachment on Hernandez 's home pending the outcome of the murder charge against Hernandez filed in June 2013 . `` From their vantage point , all they can do from the civil perspective is to hold him ( Hernandez ) accountable civilly , `` Kennedy added . `` None of this will bring back their loved ones , they 'll still have a loss . ... But the family has started this procedure to hold him civilly liable and they 're doing that , '' he said . According to authorities , Hernandez paid just over $ 1 million for the home when he joined the Patriots in 2007 . The family seeks to be paid up to $ 5 million each in value from the home in North Attleborough , Massachusetts . Judge approves Aaron Hernandez jail move . The case against Hernandez : Where 's the weapon ?
Families of slaying victims Safiro Furtado and Daniel Abreu filed a civil lawsuit . Judge rules $ 5 million in assets from Aaron Hernandez 's home can be frozen . Hernandez has pleaded not guilty in the killings of Furtado and Abreu . He 's also accused in the slaying of Odin Lloyd .