Several news organizations are battling a Charlottesville court to gain access to records in the Yeardley Love murder case.
The day after Love was allegedly killed by ex-boyfriend George Huguely, news media were allowed to review three search warrants. But after that, the records were sealed -- an act which the news groups say goes against state law.
The Washington Post reports:
The news groups argued that Virginia Supreme Court guidelines require that the public be given specifics about why and which records are sealed and have a chance to oppose that action. Without an open record, attorney Craig T. Merritt further argued on behalf of the news organizations, there is no public information about when records were sealed, how long they would remain out of view and at whose behest they were put under seal.
Alexander Francuzenko, an attorney for the clerk of the court, told the judge that the news groups were using "a backdoor-type challenge" to open the records and should have filed a different type of legal action-- not directed at the circuit court clerk -- to have the seal order reviewed. Francuzenko asked the court to dismiss the news groups' request.
George Huguely's defense team told the Post it has "no opinion" on the matter. A judge is expected to rule on the case next week.
Meanwhile, the University of Virginia is preparing for what will likely be a bittersweet commencement ceremony this weekend. Love was a member of the graduating class.
According to the Daily Progress, attendees will don white ribbons in memory of Love and as a "pledge to reject domestic violence":
The white ribbon campaign at UVa came about after a group of 30 concerned students, faculty and community members gathered last week to come up with a response to Love's death. The ribbons are being paid for by $2,000 from a pool of private funds in the Office of Student Affairs that finances student-led initiatives, a UVa spokeswoman said.
Along with wearing the white ribbons on their gowns at graduation, they decided, the organizers would encourage supporters to take action in other ways, such as donating money to UVa's Women's Center, which provides help for students who are victims of sexual and domestic violence.