In death, Hernandez's murder conviction likely to be tossed
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Aaron Hernandez's death means his murder conviction is likely to disappear.
Under Massachusetts law, defense attorneys can seek to have convictions vacated when a defendant dies before an appeal is heard.
Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2013 death of Odin Lloyd.
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Authorities say Hernandez was found hanging in his Massachusetts prison cell early Wednesday and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Removing a conviction after the death of a high profile defendant has precedent in the state.
Former Roman Catholic priest John Geoghan's (GAY'-gehnz) child molestation conviction was vacated after he was beaten to death in his prison cell in 2003.
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John Salvi, who was convicted of killing two abortion clinic workers in Brookline in 1994, also had his convictions dismissed after he killed himself in prison.