The murder trial of former Patriots star Aaron Hernandez was delayed suddenly for more than an hour Thursday afternoon after a bomb threat prompted an evacuation of the Massachusetts courthouse where proceedings are being held.
Those in attendance were cleared from the Bristol County Courthouse in Fall River, Mass., around noon Thursday when Judge E. Susan Garsh interrupted testimony to announce that a bomb threat had been called in.
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Courthouse employees were allowed to return to the building when the threat was lifted shortly before 1 p.m.
Other details, including the nature of the threat, were not disclosed. It was unclear if the threat was related to Hernandez.
Another threat was simultaneously called into Taunton Superior Court about 10 miles north of Fall River.
Such threats are not unheard of at a courthouse - often it's a reluctant witness who doesn't want to testify. Motive here not known.
— Maria Cramer (@GlobeMCramer) March 26, 2015
Police gather at front of the Fall River justice center. pic.twitter.com/7ESEN14myh
— Maria Cramer (@GlobeMCramer) March 26, 2015
Two court officers man the doors to the UMass Dartmouth building where jurors are staying dry. #AaronHernandez
— Bob McGovern (@BobMcGovernJr) March 26, 2015
Told Aaron Hernandez is no longer in the building, like other incarcerated defendants, he's being transported to secure location
— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) March 26, 2015
Odin Llyod's family waits this out in a nearby coffee shop with victim-witness advocates. #AaronHernandez
— Bob McGovern (@BobMcGovernJr) March 26, 2015
Judge Garsh is admonishing the media for photos of jurors that may have been taken. pic.twitter.com/AzuCEJzBoK
— Bob McGovern (@BobMcGovernJr) March 26, 2015