George Huguely May Get Plea Deal In Yeardley Love Death

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A plea deal may be possible for former University of Virginia student George Huguely, who was charged with first-degree murder in the violent death of his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love, in May.

According to the Washington Examiner, Huguely probably will not face the death penalty and there is "growing consensus" that the case will settle before it goes to trial. (See commentary below from CBS Legal Analyst Jack Ford.)

The Examiner reports that the Huguely family wants to keep the case from going to court and that a settlement is "in the works," which could serve both sides:

"If [prosecutors] have a strong enough case, they will settle," said [Charlottesville defense attorney David L.] Heilberg, who is not involved in the case, but has practiced law in the area for three decades. "[Prosecutors] are getting what they want out of the case by agreement: Angling for Huguely to plead to something, whatever it might be, [for a sentence] not less than 40 years -- and then let a judge decide."

A trial could give the defense an opportunity to build a strong case arguing Huguely acted out of passion the night Love was killed, which could help lessen Huguely's charges to second-degree murder or manslaughter, Heilberg said.

Meanwhile, conflicting reports have emerged as to the exact cause of Love's death.

A private pathologist testified in a hearing yesterday that Love may have died from cardiac arrhythmia, possibly aggravated by the Adderall and alcohol in her system at her death. A bottle of Adderall prescribed to Love was found among her possessions at the crime scene. It was originally stated that Love died from blunt-force trauma to the head.

Huguely's lawyers are currently seeking access to Love's medical records.

Love was found dead in her apartment May 3. She and Huguely had a lengthy romantic history and had recently broken up. Since his May arrest, Huguely has been kept in solitary confinement at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

WATCH: CBS report

Comments

[NewFacesOfTheGOP]

07:51 PM on 12/17/2010

The putrid_piece of human_garbage deserves, to quote the character Rooster Cogburn, " a fair trial and a fine hanging."

[Endotoxin]

06:11 PM on 12/17/2010

Adderal and Alcohol...sounds fishy.

[WPF]

06:36 PM on 12/17/2010

never a good combo

[NewFacesOfTheGOP]

07:50 PM on 12/17/2010

The voice of experience speaking, huh?

[Puller58]

06:09 PM on 12/17/2010

Given his family is supposedly well-to-do, I'm puzzled why they want to pleaed out.  But it isn't over, so this may end up going to trial anyway.

[GonzoLoungeLizard]

02:40 PM on 12/17/2010

This guy should be put to death. If his family was poor he'd be getting at least life in prison!

[WPF]

06:36 PM on 12/17/2010

Where is you evidence that he is guilty?

[bellabeach]

08:12 AM on 12/18/2010

Are you serious....he confessed to killing Yeardley!!

[AbeMartin]

09:31 AM on 12/17/2010

He beat a young woman to death.  She, along with an enomous proportion of American college students, had an Adderol prescription, but the incontrovertable fact remain that she was alive and healthy before he beat the life out of her. 
 
I have no problem with taking the death sentence off of the table.  But this man is a monster like singer Chris Brown.  Men who profess their love with their fists, feet, and weapons and kill their love interests should not walk free among us.  They should be incarcerated, without the possibility of parole for years and years. 
 
 

[bellabeach]

12:54 PM on 12/17/2010

I could not agree with you more Abe, this man should receive 40 + years without the possibility of parole, this just shows you what money can do and I hope the Judge realizes that, how do we turn this monster back out into the public....he will strike again!

[Puller58]

06:10 PM on 12/17/2010

I hear you, but his family is supposedly well off, so I expect him to serve a lot less than 40 years.

[bellabeach]

11:00 AM on 12/19/2010

They may be well off, but they better be prepared to pay dearly for their son's actions and the consequences of Yeardley Love's death! This piece of entitlement will never be looked at the same by his peers, I would keep one eye open at all times with Georgie!

[sydneymoon]

10:41 PM on 12/16/2010

Several posters have suggested this was a 'crime of passion' that deserves a lighter sentence.
Definition of Crime of passion: "A criminal defendant'¬s excuse for lacking the premeditat¬ion element of a crime due to sudden anger or heartbreak¬."
But I have a question. It is in regard to the word ‘suddenly’¬.
He assaulted her on several occasion according to witnesses and I believe days earlier there was a confrontat¬ion. He also sent her threatenin¬g e-mails.
Doesn't this show evidence of intentiona¬lly targeting her and harming her? Wouldn’t such a violent history suggest that it is not merely an accident or a spur of the moment ‘crime of passion’, but a deliberate attempt to do harm?
Perhaps not, but I don’t know if anyone has some insight.

[AbeMartin]

09:33 AM on 12/17/2010

"Doesn't this show evidence of intentiona­¬lly targeting her and harming her? Wouldn’t such a violent history suggest that it is not merely an accident or a spur of the moment ‘crime of passion’, but a deliberate attempt to do harm?"

 
You betcha!

[Puller58]

06:12 PM on 12/17/2010

A stupid joke will explain what is going on, A defense attorney approached the jury in a murder trial.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.  You've just heard the district attorney tell a lot of lies about my client.  Now, it's my turn."

[Blues02]

06:16 PM on 12/16/2010

Lock him up and throw away the key.

[WPF]

06:37 PM on 12/17/2010

Draconian Law?

[Blues02]

06:50 PM on 12/17/2010

Meaning overly harsh punishment for the crime? No i'd say that's pretty reasonable.

[VA Jill]

04:58 PM on 12/16/2010

If he were black or Hispanic, this wouldn't happen or even be an issue........but because he's a spoiled white rich kid, he's likely to get away with it.

[GlennWatson]

06:34 PM on 12/16/2010

Right, becaus Black kids never get away with crimes.

[Spank05]

08:02 PM on 12/16/2010

Your argument would be better if you actually cited some examples.

[Puller58]

06:12 PM on 12/17/2010

I'm sure Vegas would give odds on it.

[jusjrad]

04:20 PM on 12/16/2010

I have to say, as sad as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if he walks away with time-served.

[sweatermoose]

04:07 PM on 12/16/2010

I can understand the prosecutors' strategy here. We've got a defendant from a rich family, and if he is convicted in a trial rather than pleading guilty, his family will undoubtedly hammer the court system with appeals until he is released. That's if his defense lawyers don't help him wiggle out of a conviction in the first place despite his obvious guilt: think OJ: another rich, high profile murderer with a lot of cash. I'm sure it's hard for Love's family, and I am sorry for them. But I support the prosecutors' plan to get him locked into a large amount of jail time that cannot be appealed.

[Puller58]

06:15 PM on 12/17/2010

I'm not convinced the DA can make this work.  Why would this kid's parents agree to any time at all? Doesn't sound like they can build a strong enough case that a soft headed jury wouldn't throw out due to sympathy for the kid.

[Mikeeee]

04:01 PM on 12/16/2010

No one should be in prison for non-violent crimes except financial. Prisons are for people like this creature.

[barney123]

04:03 PM on 12/16/2010

It was a VIOLENT crime and he needs to be locked up for a long time.

[WPF]

06:39 PM on 12/17/2010

So if I sold a ten year old crack, I shouldnt go to jail? I'm not following you...

[Mikeeee]

03:59 PM on 12/16/2010

I think george should be allowed to plea at his daily beatings with a lacrosse sticks, otherwise he should have to wear a mask which renders speech impossible.

[Velvettazz]

03:57 PM on 12/16/2010

This spoiled rich brat should serve a life sentence without eligibility of parole. His victim sure didn't have a chance.

[robXdion]

03:56 PM on 12/16/2010

There's more anger at Michael Vick than this guy. People in here are already crowing about "he should be rehabilitated". Un-frikkin-believable.

Even Tiger Woods' consensual affairs got more ire and criticism than this. Only in America.

[BannedFromCommenting]

04:01 PM on 12/16/2010

No that loser, proudamericanpatriot keeps saying it.. and clearly he is just saying stuff to try to annoy and rile. I mean someone said he would murder again, and his reply was "eh".? Yeah, just pushing buttons

[Gary James]

06:06 PM on 12/17/2010

Murder is nothing new. Now a popular person tied t something like dog fighting to the extent that they held their own enterprises is something new and interesting.

[BannedFromCommenting]

03:55 PM on 12/16/2010

"A private pathologist testified in a hearing yesterday that Love may have died from cardiac arrhythmia"
Translates to "Hugely's mother and father bought the best alternate excuse money can buy to try to get our son off.". When clearly if she DIDNT die from his hands, why not just call 911? What did he do? Beat on a woman in cardiac arrest?

[cornflower]

05:42 AM on 12/17/2010

yeah, I'm thinking the cardiac arrest came after he bashed her repeatedly against the wall. Or, maybe they want us to believe that it came first. Go ahead - put the question to a jury - see if they come up with the answer his parents prefer!!! Somehow I don't think they will.

[Puller58]

06:16 PM on 12/17/2010

I had a paralegal once tell me that attorneys can find anybody that will testify to anything.  Professional liars is what I'd call them.