The Massachusetts Supreme Court has reinstated the conviction of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez in the death of Odin Lloyd back in 2013.
The High Court set aside a long standing principle in the state that said if a defendant were not available for his appeal, then he was still innocent.
Hernandez took his own life in prison before the State Supreme Court could decide the appeal.
The legal decision is an important one for the family of the victim.
The family may now pursue civil actions against the estate of the former New England Patriots star.