Suffolk Superior Court Judge Jeffery Locke addresses the court during an appearance by former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Hernandez, who is serving a life sentence for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, appeared with his lawyers in a status conference for his upcoming trial, where he is charged in the 2012 slayings of two men outside a Boston nightclub. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) - Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez has appeared in court in Boston as a judge met with attorneys to prepare for his upcoming trial in the 2012 shooting deaths of two men.
Hernandez and his lawyers attended a status conference Wednesday in Suffolk Superior Court. The former tight end is accused of killing Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreau in a drive-by shooting following a dispute at a Boston nightclub.
Hernandez also faces a count of witness intimidation. Prosecutors say he shot a witness in the face.
Hernandez grew up in Bristol, Connecticut. He's serving a life sentence in the 2013 killing of Odin (OH'-dihn) Lloyd, who was dating his fiancee's sister.
Jury selection for the Boston murder trial is set to begin Feb. 13. The judge scheduled a Dec. 20 hearing for arguments on pre-trial motions.
Defense attorney George Leontire, who part of the team representing former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez, addresses the court at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Hernandez, who is serving a life sentence for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, appeared with his lawyers in a status conference for his upcoming trial, where he is charged in the 2012 slayings of two men outside a Boston nightclub. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Associated Press
Assistant District Attorney Patrick Haggan addresses the court during an appearance by former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Hernandez, who is serving a life sentence for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, appeared with his lawyers in a status conference for his upcoming trial, where he is charged in the 2012 slayings of two men outside a Boston nightclub. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Associated Press
Defense attorney Ronald Sullivan, who is part of the team representing former New England Patriots NFL football Aaron Hernandez, addresses the court at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Hernandez, who is serving a life sentence for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, appeared with his lawyers in a status conference for his upcoming trial, where he is charged in the 2012 slayings of two men outside a Boston nightclub. With Sullivan are defense attorneys Robert Proctor, left, and George Leontire, right. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Associated Press
Former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez, center, sits with his defense team during a court appearance at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Hernandez, who is serving a life sentence for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, appeared with his lawyers in a status conference before for his upcoming trial, where he is charged in the 2012 slayings of two men outside a Boston nightclub. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Associated Press
Former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez, center, sits with his defense team during a court appearance at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Hernandez, who is serving a life sentence for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, appeared with his lawyers in a status conference before for his upcoming trial, where he is charged in the 2012 slayings of two men outside a Boston nightclub. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Associated Press