hernandez
Former National Football League player Aaron Hernandez, right, waited for a verdict in his trial at Bristol County Superior Court with his attorney Charles Rankin, left, in Fall River, Massachusetts, April 14, 2015. On Wednesday, Hernandez, 25, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, was found guilty of fatally shooting semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in an industrial park near his Massachusetts home in June 2013. Reuters

Social media users took to Twitter Wednesday with a mix of acceptance and consternation shortly after a jury found former NFL star Aaron Hernandez guilty of first-degree murder, sparking an emotional reaction from some of his supporters who were present in the courtroom, including his fiancée Shayanna Jenkins. Some Twitter users -- including former University of Florida teammate Brandon Spikes -- expressed sympathy for Hernandez, who faces life in prison without parole; others said he got what he deserved.

Hernandez, 25, who played tight end for the New England Patriots, faced trial for the shooting death of semiprofessional football player Odin Lloyd in June 2013. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée, Jenkins. Lloyd’s body was discovered with six gunshot wounds in an abandoned industrial park near Hernandez’s Massachusetts home.

Hernandez’s trial has been going on for months, with prosecutors presenting more than 130 witnesses. The defense took just one day to present its witnesses. A jury began deliberating last Tuesday after the defense and prosecution presented their closing arguments.

Some social media users made light of the verdict.

Hernandez’ mother and fiancée hugged and cried in the courtroom Wednesday following the jury’s verdict announcement. Lloyd’s mother, Ursula Ward, also cried.

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