George Huguely Trial: Opening Arguments

Former UVA lacrosse star George Huguely allegedly emailed his ex-girlfriend Yeardley Love with the message "I should have killed you" shortly before she died of blunt force trauma to the head, prosecutors say.

Huguely, 24, has been charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of Love who was found dead in her dorm room on May 2, 2010. Love, 22, was a a senior at UVA and a fellow lacrosse player.

In the opening statements of his trial today, Prosecutor Dave Chapman detailed Huguely's history of violence with Love, and the extent of his allegedly murderous actions that night.

Chapman claimed that Huguely came over to Love's room in a rage, kicked in her door, beat her and threw her against the wall. He then took her computer and left the room, leaving Love to die.

Love and Huguely had had a turbulent history. Friends allege Huguely had put her in a choke hold prior to her death.

However, when it was his turn to speak, Huguely's defense attorney Francis McQ. Lawrence painted a different version of the events of May 2. Lawrence claimed that Huguely went over to Love's room to have a talk. Love allegedly struck Huguely first with her purse, which led to a struggle on the floor and on the bed, but Lawrence maintained that Huguely left Love with "a slight nose bleed."

The defense claimed Love died from an irregular heartbeat.

Lawrence also contends that Huguely took Love's computer out of an "immature compulsiveness" so he could contrive a meeting the next day, not, as prosecutors allege, to cover his tracks.

"He's not complex, he's a lacrosse player" Lawrence reportedly said.

Prosecutors described Love's injuries as so serious that a medical examiner had to dissect her brain to determine how she died.

Loading Slideshow

• George Huguely V was escorted into the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse in Charlottesville, Va., before jurors began deliberating on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. Nine hours later, they found the former UVA lacrosse player guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love.

• Commonwealth Attorney Warner Chapman, navigated the media while arriving at the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse in Charlottesville, Va., for the last day of his prosecution of George Huguely on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. Chapman secured a guilty verdict on the charge of second-degree murder in the death of Huguely's ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love.

• George Huguely

  George Huguely V, right, is escorted by a sheriff's deputy as he arrives for his trial at the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse in Charlottesville, Va., on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Huguely was accused in the May 2010 slaying of Yeardley Love. The body of the 22-year-old woman was found battered in her apartment bedroom after what prosecutors say was one final, violent encounter with her former boyfriend. Huguely has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and other counts.

• GeorgeHuguely V

  Former Virginia lacrosse player and convicted murderer George Huguely V is led to court for his sentencing in Charlottesville, Va., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Huguely was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the alcohol-fueled beating death of his ex-girlfriend in 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

• Sharon Love, Lexie

  Sharon Love, left, mother of victim Yardley Love, and her daughter, Lexie, arrive at the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse for the sentencing of George Huguely V in Charlottesville, Va., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Huguely was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the alcohol-fueled beating death of his ex-girlfriend in 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

• George Huguely

  In this courtroom sketch, George Huguely V, second from left, and his attorney, Francis McQ. Lawrence listen to Commonwealth Attorney Warner D. Chapman, right, as Judge Edward Hogshire, top right, listens during opening arguments in Huguely's trial at the Charlottesville Circuit Court in Charlottesville, Va, on Feb. 8, 2012. Huguely is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, fellow University of Virginia senior Yeardley Love.

• Sharon & Lexie Love

  Sharon Love, mother of Yeardley Love, right, and her daughter, Lexie Love, left, leave the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse after another delay in the trial of George Huguely V in Charlottesville, Va., on Feb. 17, 2012. The trial was delayed due to illness of defense attorney Rhonda Quagliana.

• George Huguely IV

  George Huguely IV arrives at the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse for the start of his son's trial in Charlottesville, Va, on Feb. 8, 2012. Huguely was on trial for the murder of fellow University of Virginia senior Yeardley Love.

• Marta Murphy

  Marta Murphy, mother of George Huguely V, arrives at the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse for the start of her son's trial in Charlottesville, Va, on Feb. 8, 2012. Huguely was on trial for the murder of his former girlfriend, fellow University of Virginia senior Yeardley Love.

• Sharon Love, mother of murder victim Yeardley Love, leaves court during a break after opening arguments in the trial of George Huguely V at Charlottesville Circuit Court in Charlottesville, Va. Huguely was on trial for the murder of Yeardley Love, his former girlfriend.

• George Huguely Trial

  Court officials deliver evidence to the Charlottesville Circuit Courthouse for the trial of George Huguely V in Charlottesville, Va., on Feb. 17, 2012. Huguely, 24, of Chevy Chase, Md., was charged with first-degree murder in the May 2010 killing of his sometimes-girlfriend and fellow lacrosse player, Yeardley Love.

• A much skinnier George Huguely enters the court house.

• George Huguely sits with defense attorneys Rhonda Quagliana and Francis Lawrence.

• George Huguely stands before Judge Edward Hogshire, alongside his defense attorneys Rhonda Quagliana and Francis Lawrence.

• George Huguely's mug shot from his arrest in 2010.

• Media vehicles gathered outside the court house.

• Reporters line up to enter the courtroom.

• Yeardley Love and George Huguely, seen in a photo together at a party. The two had dated and since Love's death, UVA has tried to increase awareness of programs available to help those in abusive relationships.

• Yeardley Love was a lacrosse player at UVA.

• GeorgeHuguely V

  Former Virginia lacrosse player and convicted murderer George Huguely V is led to court for his sentencing in Charlottesville, Va., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Huguely was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the alcohol-fueled beating death of his ex-girlfriend in 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

• GeorgeHuguely V

  Former Virginia lacrosse player and convicted murderer George Huguely V is led to court for his sentencing in Charlottesville, Va., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Huguely was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the alcohol-fueled beating death of his ex-girlfriend in 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

• GeorgeHuguely V

  Defense attorneys for Geroge Huguely V Francis McQ. Lawrence, right, and Rhonda Quagliana, arrive at the Charlottesville Circuit courthouse for the sentencing of Huguely V in Charlottesville, Va., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Huguely was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the alcohol-fueled beating death of his ex-girlfriend in 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Comments

[nikki717]

08:12 AM on 04/05/2012

I bet his ego is telling him that he will go free.

[Quis Custodiet]

07:31 PM on 02/13/2012

Dating steroid-pumping neanderthals is a bad idea? Who would have thought.

[Ashley L Coates]

02:34 PM on 02/09/2012

"A much skinnier George Huguely enters the court house."

What does his weight have to do with what he's done?

[hopein2012]

09:06 PM on 02/09/2012

nothing but he really does look a lot different. i didn't even think it was the same person.

[nikki717]

08:11 AM on 04/05/2012

I guess he looks less imposing.

[eboLi4]

02:00 PM on 02/09/2012

His chances of becoming team captain in his new State school has improved drastically

[bellabeach]

08:40 AM on 02/09/2012

Clearly this is one very sick young man and he had signs before that should have been diagnosed and medication or hospitalization...yes he was a spoiled rich kid but he clearly had psychological issues and his father instead of buying a house near the UVA campus and partying with his son should have sought professional help!! Now he will go to prison for a very long time, if the jury does their job!!

[TRhett]

06:35 AM on 02/09/2012

"He's not complex, he's a lacrosse player" - from his own attorney. Funniest quote I've seen in a while . . .

[hopein2012]

09:07 PM on 02/09/2012

being a former lacrosse player, it is insulting and ridiculous. i pray for her mom and sister. so sad.

[TRhett]

09:44 PM on 02/09/2012

I probably shouldn't have said that - I didn't mean funny as in lacrosse players are dumb animals . . . I meant funny in that his own attorney would make such an idiotic statement about his own client - kind of makes you wonder what the attorney is REALLY thinking.

[jwiley1396]

07:16 PM on 02/08/2012

Here we go again. Another sleazy defense lawyer creating a BS story in what is supposed to be a "search for the truth", in a desparate attempt to create "reasonable doubt" in the mind of one juror.

[UCBAlum]

09:12 PM on 02/08/2012

Defense lawyers are not charged with "finding the truth". That's the job of investigators. Defense lawyers are legally responsible for providing a competent defense for clients.

[maddmikee]

05:52 PM on 02/08/2012

Young people play too many violent video games and see movies where violense is always the answer. "payback" His actions caused her death- he is guilty of her murder case closed. Young people need to learn when it's over just walk away. He should have a very long prison term to think about the life he took and how he wasted his own. This case should be shown at all colleges!!! Not to make an example of him-just to show where one bad decision in rage and anger can lead to death.

[TRhett]

06:41 AM on 02/09/2012

"Young people need to learn when it's over just walk away." VERY true . . . and applicable to everyone, not just (young) college students.

[deridaa]

05:47 PM on 02/08/2012

Do you know how many Ivies look the other way to male and female students who are violent as long as the parents cough up money! Princeton has had their share of violence that disappears under the rug! Live in a college town and you will see it all!!

[MaryinNM]

08:17 PM on 02/08/2012

UVA isn't Ivy league; it's a state school. Minor correction, but your point is taken.

[TRhett]

06:37 AM on 02/09/2012

. . . and valid . . . and well-known. ALL colleges sweep violence and crime (which is rampant on many campuses) under the rug to avoid scaring parents and potential tuition payments away.

[TRhett]

06:39 AM on 02/09/2012

I'm sure you will . . . but it's not just Ivies - every college tries to cover up the rampant crime on their campuses so as not to scare away prospective students and parents. Ask for crime statistics, and you'll get about 1/100th of the real story . . .

[Haneyr]

04:53 PM on 02/08/2012

hang him by his balls but still some how keep him alive to see that they are no longer there. I dunno, do something to this kid

[VA Jill]

03:58 PM on 02/08/2012

George Huguely is just another example of a spoiled rich pretty boy who thinks his looks and daddy's money will buy him out of anything. Kinda reminds me of a guy called van der Sloot. I hope the jury can see past his lies.

[jwiley1396]

07:20 PM on 02/08/2012

George V says it all. A spoiled brat from a wealthy family.

[hopein2012]

09:23 PM on 02/09/2012

it doesn't always spell wealth. i have known III and IV, etc. people from blue collar backgrounds. it is tradition.

[UCBAlum]

09:16 PM on 02/08/2012

The average cost to attend a public university is $21,500 per year. UVA is about 10% above that average.

Sorry but your narrative, while it may please you, is not based in reality - unless of course you know something that I don't.

[VA Jill]

03:52 PM on 02/09/2012

And so? The fact remains that his parents have money and he is a spoiled rich pretty boy
who thinks he can get away with anything.

[Racherach]

03:36 PM on 02/08/2012

Judges and jurors! Please put monsters behind bars for life. He is just going to get out and do this to someone else.

[gehrig1b]

03:31 PM on 02/08/2012

He lost his temper, did a horribly stupid thing, and now is prepared to use daddy's money to fight the charges. He may be George V, but he is the least.

[hopein2012]

03:01 PM on 02/08/2012

So sad when a person's life is cut short in the prime of their life. Thoughts and prayers to her mom and sister during this very difficult time.

[oceanview136]

02:44 PM on 02/08/2012

This man deserves the toughest punishment for what he did to that beautiful girl !! Its a real shame that it can't be the "death penalty" !!