Snoop Dogg angers fans with Aaron Hernandez support

Rapper Snoop Dogg has come under fire from fans after sending an online message of support to his friend, disgraced football star Aaron Hernandez, following his recent arrest on murder charges.

The former New England Patriots tight end is being held without bail by Massachusetts police amid allegations he was involved in the fatal shooting of Odin Lloyd, whose body was found near the sportsman's home in North Attleborough last month (Jun13).

Hernandez, who also stands accused of unlawful possession of firearms, faces life without parole if convicted, but Snoop Dogg, aka Snoop Lion, is refusing to turn his back on his pal during his troubles.

The Gin and Juice hitmaker, who was acquitted of his own murder counts in 1996 relating to the shooting death of a gang member three years earlier (93), reposted a picture of himself with Hernandez on his Instagram.com blog early on Friday (05Jul13).

The caption for the image, which had originally been uploaded earlier this year (13), now reads: "Keep ya head up !! We prayn 4 ya (sic)".

However, the photo and its message haven't gone down well with Snoop's fans - one follower quipped, "Praying that he rots in hell!", while another fan wrote, "u should be praying for the family of the homie (man) who got murdered! F**k Aaron Hernandez".

Reports suggest the footballer, who has pleaded not guilty to the Lloyd murder charges, is also under investigation by authorities in Boston in relation to a double homicide in the city last year (12), although cops have declined to confirm whether he is being considered as a possible suspect in that case.