Aaron Hernandez tried to manipulate officers in jail, sheriff says

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who was convicted of first-degree murder last week, tried to manipulate officers while in jail before and during his trial, according to the sheriff who oversaw his incarceration.

Bristol County (Mass.) Sheriff Thomas Hodgson described Hernandez to the Associated Press as a cunning schemer who would use his charm and personality to try to get preferential treatment while at the Bristol County House of Corrections.

“He would make every effort to get extra sandwiches,” Hodgson said. “He would just try to convince the officers to give him more than what they otherwise could get.”

Hodgson said he instructed his staff to treat Hernandez like any other prisoner.

Hernandez was convicted April 15 of killing former semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of his fiancee. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Hernandez was transferred to another detention facility not far from Gillette Stadium -- home of the Patriots -- after his conviction. He ultimately will be transferred to the maximum-security Souza-Baranowski state prison to serve his sentence.

Hodgson said Hernandez told his officers that the jury “got it wrong” on his murder conviction.

“He didn’t really have much of a change in his demeanor [after the verdict],” Hodgson said. “He pretty much still had a swagger in his step.”

Hodgson said Hernandez wasn’t an ideal prisoner. He got into a fight with another inmate and was accused of threatening to kill a guard and his family. Still, Hodgson said Hernandez, 25, should hold up well in prison.

“He doesn’t really look at it as jail,” Hodgson said. “It’s more like training camp. “He’ll probably do fine. He’ll be able to talk his way through everything.”