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Hernandez trial nearing conclusion

NFL, New England Patriots

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- Lawyers involved in the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez say they expect the case to wrap up next week.

The defense intends to call only one witness and is expected to rest on Monday. At this point, the defense is expected to call a DNA expert from Cellmark Forensics in Dallas to testify. The parent/predecessor company of Cellmark was used successfully by O.J. Simpson's legal team to help exonerate him in his 1995 double-murder trial.

The Hernandez trial began Jan. 29 and was estimated to last six to 10 weeks.

Prosecutors are still putting on their case against the former star tight end, who pleaded not guilty in the June 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée.

In court Tuesday, prosecutor William McCauley said he estimated he could rest his case Thursday.

Defense attorney James Sultan then asked the judge to hear arguments on some pending issues Friday and said he expected to put on witnesses and finish Monday. It is not clear whether Hernandez will testify.

Both sides will also deliver closing arguments, then deliberations will begin.

Alexander Bradley, the man allegedly shot by Hernandez outside of a Miami bar months before Lloyd's murder, is expected to testify Wednesday.

Bradley, who lost his eye in the shooting, told police he didn't know who shot him but later filed a civil suit against Hernandez.

ESPN's Michele Steele and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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