( HLNtv.com ) -- A Bristol County , Massachusetts , grand jury indicted former NFL player Aaron Hernandez on a first-degree murder charge and five weapons charges Thursday . Hernandez , a former New England Patriots tight end , is charged in connection with the slaying of his friend , Odin Lloyd , 27 . Prosecutors say Hernandez , 23 , orchestrated Lloyd 's shooting death . Hernandez and two other men allegedly picked Lloyd up on the morning of June 17 ; his body was found later that day in an industrial park near Hernandez 's home . Hernandez appeared in court Thursday afternoon to hear the court announce the indictment . He was handcuffed and wearing a white collared shirt under a dark sports coat . As he sat down , Hernandez mouthed , `` I love you '' to a family member sitting in the gallery . Hernandez showed no emotion during the brief hearing . Police : Gun found in car linked to double killing , Hernandez . `` There 's an incredible rush to judgment in this case , '' defense attorney Michael Fee told reporters outside the courthouse . Fee said he was pleased with the indictment because it gives his client `` a path to trial , '' and that a jury will find Hernandez `` innocent . '' The former football star has been in police custody since he was arrested on June 26 . Prior to the indictment , Hernandez pleaded not guilty . The indictment circumvented the need for the scheduled probable cause hearing that was originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon . Upon reviewing the case , a grand jury determined that prosecutors had enough evidence to constitute probable cause , or that the charges are reasonable based on the facts presented . The case against Hernandez is now one step closer to trial . Hernandez investigation turns to finacee 's actions . The judge scheduled a hearing for next Friday to deal with two outstanding defense motions . The next step in Hernandez 's case is his arraignment , during which he 'll be informed of the crimes he is charged with . He also will have the opportunity to enter a formal plea with the court . No date has been set for Hernandez 's arraignment . Co-defendant Ernest Wallace , who was allegedly in the car with Hernandez the night Lloyd was killed , also was indicted . He was charged with being accessory after the fact to murder . The grand jury has also indicted Tanya Singleton , Hernandez ' cousin , for contempt of court . She 's charged with refusing to testify before a grand jury , despite being granted immunity . Her attorney , Peter Parker , declined to comment . The Hernandez case has thrust prosecutors into the national spotlight . Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter downplayed any additional pressure . `` My career ... will be defined more by this case than all of the other things we 've done . So to that extent there is added pressure , but I ca n't say in any way that we shirk from it . I think we welcomed it , '' Sutter told CNN . CNN 's Lawrence Crook III contributed to this report .
Former Lloyd up on the player is charged with first -degree murder , weapons charges . He 's charged in connection with the slaying of Tanya Singleton , June 26 . Bristol County District has pleaded not guilty to the charges . The football star has been in police custody since he was arrested on 27 .