In a troubling development, Dennis Hernandez, brother of the late NFL player Aaron Hernandez, has admitted guilt to charges related to threatening violence at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and plotting to kill three individuals outside the state. This alarming confession has brought attention to a series of distressing incidents involving Dennis Hernandez, who has been battling significant mental health challenges.
Dennis Hernandez, known as “DJ” during his time playing for UConn as a football player, appeared in a Hartford federal court, where he pleaded guilty to charges of sending interstate communications that contained threats to injure. These charges, related to a planned shooting at UConn and threats against three people, including a judge, carry a potential five-year prison sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for February 6, according to federal prosecutors.
Court filings reveal that in July 2023, Hernandez used Facebook to communicate threats at UConn’s main campus in Storrs. He chillingly advised individuals to stay away, stating, “When I go I’m taking down everything,” and expressed a willingness to sacrifice his life. He added, “Not all shootings are bad… Some are necessary for change to happen.” His comments reflect a deeply troubled mindset, reportedly exacerbated by financial struggles and frustrations over not being hired as a football coach, despite his past as a quarterback and wide receiver for the UConn Huskies.
Police records document a tense arrest incident where Hernandez, suffering from mental health issues including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, was subdued with a stun gun. He emerged from his sister’s home in a distressed state, shouting, “shoot me” and issued threats against officers.
The situation escalated earlier in the year when Hernandez was arrested for misdemeanor charges at ESPN’s headquarters. He threw a bag with a brick and note onto ESPN property, protesting against media coverage that he felt exploited his brother Aaron’s tragic end. Aaron Hernandez had committed suicide in 2017 while serving a sentence for murder. Dennis’s actions appeared driven by anger towards those he perceived as benefiting from his brother’s notoriety.
Dennis Hernandez’s recent plea underscores a tragic narrative intertwined with mental health struggles and familial discord. His case highlights the dire consequences of untreated psychological disorders and unresolved personal grievances. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains critical to balance justice with understanding the complex web of personal and mental struggles facing individuals like Hernandez.
Source: News4jax
