Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3155: Aaron Hernandez found Guilty - gets Life Sentence without possibility of Parole - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Earlier today, Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder of Odin Lloyd in addition to five weapon charges. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is also awaiting a separate trial for the double murder of Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu in addition to associated attempted murder and assault charges.

In the above video, after the jury's verdict of guilty is read aloud, Hernandez can be seen looking at his mother and fiancée - as he then displays three very telling nonverbal signals in rapid succession.


In this image, captured at 0:23, we see Hernandez's jaw rapidly and briefly displacing laterally - here to his left. This nonverbal sign is known as a "Jaw Confessional" and is seen during moments of embarrassment, just before an apology or in the midst of re-living a painful memory.

The jaw confessional also has an element of regret associated with it.


One second later (0:24), Hernandez then displays an "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR).


An inward lip roll is seen during moments of effort when one is trying to suppress both the inward growth - as well as an outer expression of an emotion - usually seen with negative one (but it can be seen during the suppression of joy, laughter, etc.).


Less than a second later we see the former New England tight end's tongue dart out and rapidly back in his mouth - in what is known as a "Tongue Jut" (aka "Lizard Tongue").

Tongue Juts can be thought of as one's psyche waving a flag to the outside world saying, "I've been bad" or "I've been caught" or "I did something stupid". This body language display can also be seen in light-hearted moments of self-deprecation or excitement (yet still the same message is being sent - that of mischief). 

This nonverbal cluster displayed by Aaron Hernandez is highly significant of guilt.

My condolences to the family, friends and fiancée of Odin Lloyd.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3154: Marco Rubio announces his candidacy for President - his Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2776: James Franco's Mea Culpa - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2314:  Naomi Watts Pre-Oscar Interview and her  Body Language of the "Jaw Confessional" and the Sincerity Quotient

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2504:  Former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez and a  Commonly Missed Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2707: Amanda Knox's Guilty Verdict - Italian Jurors' Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3153: Jodi Arias gets a Life Sentence Without Parole for Killing Travis Alexander - a Body Language Warning Signal


_________________________________________________________________________________