Judge won't let Aaron Hernandez's lawyer question tipster

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- A Massachusetts judge says a lawyer for former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez can't question under oath an anonymous tipster who raised concerns about a juror in the murder case.

Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh ruled Monday that such a step is premature.

Defense attorney James Sultan says the tipster called him several times about a juror after Hernandez was convicted in April of first-degree murder in the 2013 death of Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiance.

Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors say the woman had a sexually explicit relationship with Hernandez while he was behind bars.

Garsh says if Sultan wants to question her under oath, he first has to submit an affidavit from her.