As expected, Shayanna Jenkins has pleaded not guilty to charges of perjury.
As also expected, she’s specifically accused of lying to a grand jury investigating the murder of Odin Lloyd.
Prosecutors contend, via NBCNews.com, that Jenkins lied to the grand jury about conversations with her fiancee, former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. Prosecutors also believe she lied when she claimed she didn’t recall what she did with the gun safe or lock box that she removed from the home she shares with Hernandez, allegedly at his request, after Lloyd was killed.
She admitted, with a grant of immunity, putting the box in a dumpster. But she said she doesn’t recall which one, which prosecutors contend is a lie.
Doing what defense lawyers do, Jenkins’ lawyer has defended her client.
“Their relationship in many ways had elements of what I would call ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell,’” lawyer Janice Bassil regarding the relationship between Jenkins and Hernandez.
Bassil also claimed that Jenkins was questioned in an “extremely aggressive” fashion before the grand jury.
Jenkins remains free without bail. No trial date has been set.
It’s difficult to prove perjury beyond a reasonable doubt, because the jury has to essentially get inside the defendant’s mind. It’s easy to charge someone with perjury and hope the extra pressure will make her tell the whole truth to authorities.