Unnecessary Roughness

By: Jose Baez, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez - foreword

Narrated by: Ben Jeffrey, Shayna Small

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

The revelatory inside story of the trial and final days of New England Patriots superstar Aaron Hernandez, by his attorney and New York Times best-selling author Jose Baez.

When renowned defense attorney Jose Baez received a request for representation from Aaron Hernandez, the disgraced Patriots tight end was already serving a life sentence for murder. Defending him in a second double-murder trial seemed like a lost cause - but Baez accepted the challenge, and their partnership culminated in a dramatic courtroom victory, a race to contest his first conviction, and ultimately a tragedy, when Aaron took his own life days after his acquittal.

This riveting, closely observed account of Aaron's life and final year is the only work based on countless intimate conversations with Aaron and told from the perspective of a true insider. Written with the support of Hernandez's fiancée, Unnecessary Roughness takes listeners inside the high-profile trial, offering a dramatic retelling of the race to obtain key evidence that would exonerate Hernandez and later play a critical role in appealing his first conviction.

With revelations about Aaron's personal life that weren't shared at trial and an exploration of the chronic traumatic encephalopathy diagnosis revealed by his autopsy, Jose Baez's Unnecessary Roughness is a startling courtroom drama and an unexpected portrait of a fallen father, fiancé, and teammate.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2018 Jose Baez (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"One of the best-known criminal-defense lawyers in America...The man who knows Aaron Hernandez's secrets." (Esquire)

Just As I Expected !

Kinda already knew everything that was written in this book!

There really wasn't any new information!

Hoping DJ's book will have a little more insight on how Aaron grew up and some knew information !

Overall it was a good listen...

I really am fond of Jose Baez. The book was well written.

REST IN PEACE AARON

Thank you so much for writing this book! As a lover of football and a former football Mom(little league, middle school, high school and college) I was a little upset that my son did not get to play hardly at all in College. But now my husband and I have agreed that we were Blessed that he did not get play time. Because when he played he played hard! I applaud Mr. Biaz, his team, Shay and his family for donating Aaron's brain to science. I also believe that this illness played a part of his decision making. Unfortunately, my look on football now is politics and money! Yes I enjoy the game very much but it's sad what the love of this sport does to the players and their families. The entire football establishment should be thankful for Aaron's gift. Mr Biaz I am sure that when his daughter is old enough to read and understand this book she will be forever grateful to you. This book gives her something to be proud of her Daddy. This book was a great listen, very informative, and loving. I'm going to buy me an Aaron Hernandez Jersey and wear it during my Atlanta Falcons games
Rest In Peace Aaron and May God's Grace and Peace be with Shay, her daughter and family and friends of Aaron. Monique C Thomas

Unnecessary Roughness

This was my first audio book!! I enjoyed it very much, but it didn't reveal a lot. Loved the photos that came with it.

Don't waste your money

No news here, lawyer Baez explains his brillance and also his "street" knowledge. This is the PG13 version of a very complicated and tragic American true story. Baez rails against the Boston police, creating a most boring book.

EFFING FANTASTIC!

BEST narrator! My whole perspective is completely changed. Wasn't a fan of Baez, but that dude is one smart man- I would want him defending me! All in all - great book! Highly recommended!

Excellent!

Intriguing from beginning to end. Great narration.
Can't stop listening but really a sad story.

Baez Is Great

I love watching Jose Baez perform in the courtroom. This guy is the best trial lawyer in the country. He is a force.

Brought Tears a To My Eyes

That poor kid. Did he make some mistakes, yes he did, but I truly believe he was trying his best as he knew how. The story kept my attention and was well written and narrated. Even though I knew how the story ended, I was still feeling hope for him, his wife and daughter. Shame on the rest of his family for not sticking by his side and giving up on him.

great book

this is about CTE
THIS IS truly a good book told from the lawyer w M km

Fantastic book!

 I don't watch football so I didn't even know who Aaron Hernandez was until he was charged in the Odin Lloyd case. I didn't follow either of his trials so I only knew what the media reported about it. I figured there was a 50/50 chance that Aaron could be guilty given that I don't fully trust the media or justice system. I didn't think anything more about Aaron or his trials until the recent documentary was released.

After watching it I had some doubts about Aaron's guilt in the Lloyd case so I purchased this book. Now I'm 100% convinced that there was reasonable doubt in the Odin Lloyd case and that Aaron got a raw deal.

The book delves much deeper than the Netflix documentary providing a more complete and factual narrative of the events. The facts and evidence concerning the events in question are laid out in painstaking detail. Jose is admittedly biased towards Aaron's innocence, but he allows the facts to shape the story. Inadvertently, he also exposes Boston PD and prosecutors as reckless seekers of justice.

The book is well written and compelling. Mr. Baez does a great job of maintaining a solid balance between covering the facts of the cases and what happened behind the scenes or in Aaron's personal life.

I'm glad that Mr. Baez decided to write this book in defense of Aaron Hernandez. People should be given the opportunity to know the facts from Aaron's side. It's unfortunate that he committed suicide because I firmly believe that his conviction would've been eventually overturned on appeal.

To any doubters - Nothing should be taken at face value. Things aren't always as they appear. Be leery of what the media feeds you. The truth is in the details.... and this book is full of them.