Aaron Hernandez's cousin spared jail time because of cancer

Tanya Singleton, a cousin of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, will not be placed in jail because of her "advanced" cancer, according to the Associated Press.

Singleton on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a criminal contempt charge after refusing to testify before a grand jury on the July 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd even though she was granted immunity. 

A judge sentenced Singleton, 38, to two years of probation and one year of home confinement. She had already spent 196 days in jail before posting bail earlier this year.

Singleton is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

"Ms. Singleton's health is the only reason she is not being placed in jail," Fall River Superior Court Judge E. Susan Garsh said. County jail officials made it clear they could not meet Singleton's medical needs, the judge said.

More: New double-murder charges devastating for Aaron Hernandez

Singleton pleaded not guilty to a separate charge in the Lloyd case after prosecutors alleged she helped two of Hernandez' alleged accomplices escape Massachusetts, the state where Hernandez allegedly shot Lloyd.

Singleton faces another contempt charge for refusing to testify before a grand jury that indicted Hernandez on murder charges in a double homicide outside of a Boston night club in 2012. 

Hernandez, 24, has pleaded not guilty in both murder cases. 

- Chris Johnson