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The Latest: Judge agrees to toss Hernandez murder conviction

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — The Latest on defense attorneys efforts to erase Aaron Hernandez's murder conviction following his death (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

A Massachusetts judge has agreed to erase Aaron Hernandez's conviction in a 2013 murder because he died before his appeal could be heard.

Judge Susan Garsh ruled Tuesday that a legal doctrine that calls for vacating convictions when a defendant dies before an appeal can be heard was binding precedent. She said she was compelled to follow it.

The former New England Patriots tight end hanged himself in his prison cell last month while serving a life sentence in the killing of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd.