Juror 96 was dismissed as one of 18 potential jurors and alternates on the panel after Garsh had earlier ordered the public out of the Massachusetts courtroom for a hearing with defense lawyers, prosecutors, witnesses and the juror.
The closed-door hearing was “no broader than necessary to protect Hernandez’s right to a fair trial,” Garsh said
After the hearing, Garsh also said there was “credible evidence” that the dismissed juror had expressed interest in being part of the Hernandez jury and had attended more Patriots games than the juror admitted on a questionnaire.
“The juror’s recollection of conversations is not supported by the credible evidence,” Garsh said.
The juror’s presence on the jury “posed a substantial risk” to the fairness of the trial, Garsh said. The dismissal was necessary in “the best interest of justice.”
Hernandez, 25, pleaded not guilty in the 2013 killing of former semipro football player Odin Lloyd, 27, who dated the sister of Hernandez’s fiancee.
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Close friend Daryl Hodge was with Lloyd when he said Lloyd got a text from Hernandez, asking to hang out later that night.
As they parted ways, Lloyd told Hodge he’d see him later.
Lloyd’s body was found the next day.
The judge has blocked any mention that Hernandez was indicted in two other killings in Boston. Hernandez pleaded not guilty in the shooting deaths of Ernesto Abreu and Safiro Furtado outside a bar in Boston in 2012. A trial date hasn’t been set.
CNN’s Susan Candiotti and Laura Dolan contributed to this report.
