The mother of the man slain by Aaron Hernandez is moving forward with a civil lawsuit against him and her lawyer said the former New England Patriots player will be called to testify at the trial. Ursula Ward, the mother of Odin Lloyd, wants to look Hernandez in the eye when he testifies during the wrongful death suit. according to attorney Doug Sheff. Hernandez, who did not testify at his criminal trial and had a $40million contract, was convicted April 15 of first-degree murder for killing Lloyd on June 17, 2013. Scroll down for video . Suing her son's murderer: Ursula Ward, the mother of Odin Lloyd, at a press conference on Wednesday about the civil suit she has filed . Killer and his victim: Hernandez (left) was found guilty of first-degree murder parole in the 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd (right) Distressing: Ward (right), is comforted by her attorney, Douglas Sheff (left), at their conference in Boston, Massachusetts . Sheff, who called Lloyd's death an unthinkable loss said: 'She wants to ask what happened. Ward said her son, 27, was 'loved my many' 'Very simple: 'What happened?' 'And the next question: 'Why?' Ward said during a press conference on Wednesday: 'The day I learned my son was shot and killed, I thought my life ended with his. 'I always wished I was there to take those bullets for Odin.' She did not address or take questions about the lawsuit but focused her comments on her love for her son. 'Odin was loved by many,' she said. 'Odin will be missed tremendously.' Sheff said it was possible he would call Patriots officials, including owner Bob Kraft, to testify if he thought their testimony would be 'relevant', according to the Boston Herald. He said: 'We will also call different witnesses in the civil case, including Mr Aaron Hernandez. 'When we do he will no longer be able to hide behind any sort of Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination because he is already convicted of the crime. 'No one wants to unnecessarily disturb any professional or anybody, but if it is important and it is part of zealously representing our client, then we will do what we have to.' Wealthy: Hernandez (No. 81) had already been paid more than $9.2million of his $40million deal at the time of the murder . Pain and relief: Ward seen reacting to the guilty verdict for  Hernandez after his trial at Bristol County Superior Court in April . The team was originally named in the suit, but the organization was dismissed after agreeing any money released to Hernandez would be granted to the Lloyd family, Boston.com reported. The Patriots terminated their contract with Hernandez shortly after he was charged and team lawyers have said New England does not owe the 25-year-old 'another penny'. He had already been paid more than $9.2million of his $40million deal and the NFL Players Association filed a grievance on his behalf seeking in additional $6.2million in guaranteed money. They are awaiting the outcome of the grievance said Donald Grady, another of Ward's lawyers. The Patriots and Ward's lawyers have agreed that if it is determined the team owes him more money, it will not pay Hernandez but will instead hold onto the money and alert them and the court. The lawsuit seeking unspecified damages was filed in December 2013 but was put on hold during the criminal trial. While an appeal is automatic in the criminal case, Sheff said he plans to file papers in the next few weeks to resume the lawsuit so he can hunt down Hernandez's assets. One asset they do know about is his home in North Attleborough, which is assessed at $1.2million. Hernandez's fiancee and two-year-old daughter live there. Shaneah Jenkins, a second-year criminal law student and the sister of Hernandez's fiancee, was dating Lloyd . Ward said: 'I always wished I was there to take those bullets for Odin. Odin will be missed tremendously' Former New England Patriots NFL football player Hernandez, 27, seen during his murder trial (file photo) Sheff said that he's not confident Hernandez has any money left after defending himself in the criminal trial but that Hernandez clearly made millions during his career. He said Lloyd's family isn't in it for the money because no amount can compensate for their loss. Lloyd, 27, was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee. Hernandez picked him up and drove him to an industrial park near his home, where Lloyd was shot six times. Hernandez's lawyer, John Fitzpatrick, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. His client, who is also facing criminal murder charges and being sued in civil court in connection to a 2012 double murder, was moved to Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts, on Wednesday. The Patriots, who won their fourth Super Bowl in February, will visit the White House on Thursday. April 28, 2007 - Police called after Hernandez, a University of Florida football player, punches a waiter at a bar . September 2007 - Hernandez questioned after two men shot in drive-by shooting in Florida after fight with Hernandez at club . August 30, 2008 - Hernandez suspended for one game after testing positive for smoking marijuana . June 8, 2010 - Hernandez inks deal with New Endland Patriots after being drafted in the fourth round . February 5, 2012 - Played in Super Bowl XLVI . July 16, 2012 - Two immigrants from Cape Verde are shot dead in the car in South Boston. Hernandez suspected . Hernandez is also accused of murdering Daniel de Abreu (left) and Safiro Furtado (right) in 2012 in Boston . August 27, 2012 - Patriots sign Hernandez to five-year, $37.5million contract extension . November 2012 - Hernandez's fiance Shayanna Jenkins gives birth to their daughter, Avielle Janelle . February 13, 2013 - Hernandez allegedly shoots friend in the eye outside Miami strip club after argument . June 17, 2013 - Odin Lloyd gunned down in an industrial lot near Hernandez's home . June 26, 2013 - Hernandez arrested and charged with Lloyd's murder . June 26, 2013 - Patriots kick Hernandez off team within 90 minutes of arrest announcement . May 5, 2014 - Hernandez charged with beating fellow inmate and threatening a jail guard . May 15, 2014 - Hernandez indicted for double-murder in South Boston . January 29, 2015 - Odin Lloyd murder trial begins . April 15, 2015 - Sentenced to life in prison without parole after conviction on murder and weapons charges in Lloyd's death .
Ursula Ward's wrongful death suit against Hernandez, 25, is set to proceed .
Suit seeking unspecified damages was put on hold during criminal trial .
Hernandez made millions and had $40million contract at time of murder .
Convicted April 15 of first-degree murder for killing Lloyd in June of 2013 .