Tanya Singleton, who has refused to testify against her cousin, former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, has pleaded guilty to contempt of court. Her lawyer argues that Singleton should not go to jail for refusing to give testimony that could help send Hernandez to prison for life.
According to the Boston Globe, Singleton’s lawyer has asked for a one-year sentence, with credit for 196 days already served and the balance suspended in lieu of home confinement. Singleton claims that she suffers from terminal cancer, and that imprisonment “likely would hasten” her demise.
In requesting lenience, lawyer E. Peter Parker explains that Singleton refused to testify against Hernandez because she loves him like a son.
Judge Susan Garsh ruled Wednesday that prosecutors must show that Singleton will receive adequate medical care in jail, if the prosecution intends to push for incarceration.
Singleton, who refused to testify before a grand jury investigating the June 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, also refused to testify before a grand jury investigating the July 2012 murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado.
