The Sports Xchange

A wrongful-death lawsuit filed in 2013 against Aaron Hernandez will proceed now that the former New England Patriots tight end’s criminal case has been resolved, and Hernandez is expected to be called to testify.

Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison last week for the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2013, and Ursula Ward, Lloyd’s mother, and her attorney talked about the civil lawsuit Wednesday.

Attorney Douglas Sheff said Ward is entitled “to recover for the unthinkable loss of her son.” Sheff wants Hernandez’s assets unfrozen now that the criminal trial is finished.

Sheff said he is prepared to call Hernandez to the stand. Hernandez did not testify in his murder trial, but Sheff said he “will no longer be able to hide behind” the fifth amendment.

The Patriots had been listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, but they have been removed, Sheff said. He still will seek any money they still owe Hernandez. The lawsuit indicates that amount to be more than $3 million, but the Patriots expect to keep the money because Hernandez did not fulfill the five-year, $40 million contract he signed in 2012.

Hernandez also faces criminal charges in the death of two men in Boston in 2012. Civil lawsuits have been filed in those cases as well.

Hernandez also is being sued in Florida by a former friend who claims Hernandez shot him in the face.