Mother of victim in Aaron Hernandez trial composed on stand

“You are not to cry,” the judge said.

“Yes, your honor,” Ward replied during her brief appearance as a prosecution witness in the murder trial of former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez.

Hernandez, 25, pleaded not guilty in the 2013 killing of Lloyd, 27, a former semipro football player who dated the sister of Hernandez’s fiancee.

Before Ward took the stand, defense lawyer Michael Fee objected to admitting the photo of Lloyd as evidence and showing it to the victim’s mother, saying it was “cruel and unnecessary” and aimed at eliciting emotion.

“This woman, the mother of Odin Lloyd, has handled herself with plenty of restraint and dignity on the stand,” prosecutor William McCauley told the judge before the jury returned.

Garsh allowed the photo to be shown to Ward but not projected on a monitor for the jury to see.

A footprint at the industrial park where Lloyd’s body was found matched sneakers worn by Hernandez, the prosecutor said.

The defense said the one-time NFL star worth $40 million was targeted by police and prosecutors in the death of the semipro football player because of celebrity status.

Hernandez “never had a chance” as authorities zeroed in, Fee told the jury.

Garsh said the jury may visit the crime scene on Friday.

Two alleged accomplices, Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz, have pleaded not guilty and will be tried separately.

CNN’s Susan Candiotti and Laura Dolan contributed to this report.

CNN