George Huguely Murder Trial Timeline: Former College Lacrosse Player On Trial In Death Of Yeardley Love

George Huguely, 24, is accused of breaking into his girlfriend's bedroom in May 2010, beating her to death, and walking off with her computer. He and Yeardley Love both played on the University of Virginia lacrosse teams, and were just weeks away from graduation.

Huguely faces 20 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder in the commission of a robbery. The jury can also consider second degree murder (five to 40 years) or involuntary manslaughter (one to 10 years), among other charges.

The prosecution argues that Huguely killed his on-again, off-again girlfriend in a jealous fit. The defense admits that the former college student's actions contributed to Love's death, but that he never intended to kill her.

The following is a timeline of events in the case.

November 2008
George Huguely is arrested for public drunkenness in Lexington, Va. He scuffled with the arresting officer and shouted obscenities at her, leading the cop to use a stun gun on him.

February 2009
Huguely punched a sleeping teammate in the face after being told that the fellow lacrosse player had kissed Yeardley Love, 22, his girlfriend at the time.

May 2, 2010
Huguely, 22, is described as being inebriated for much of the day, including the morning when he showed up for a father-son golf outing with other members of the lacrosse team.

May 3, 2010
Love's body is found by her roommate around 2 a.m. Her roommate tells the 911 dispatcher that Love possibly died from alcohol poisoning, but police find signs of a struggle.

Hour laters, Charlottesville police interview Huguely, who lived next door. In a one-hour recorded conversation, Huguely admits that he and Love "wrestled" in her apartment, but denies that he could have killed her. An officer said he immediately considered Huguely because his knuckles were bruised and he had a cut on his arm.

May 4, 2010
Huguely is charged with first-degree murder. His lawyer Fran Lawrence says Love's death was accidental.

May 7, 2010
Love's friends tell police that the couple had a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship. Friends say the two argued in a bar the night before she died.

July 7, 2010
The coroner's officer releases the results of its autopsy, concluding that Love died from a "blunt force trauma."

Aug. 18, 2010
Court documents released reveal that Love's sorority sisters said they once saw a fight between the couple in which Love hit Huguely with her purse.

The court documents also showed that Huguely took Love's laptop from her room the night she died.

Dec. 15, 2010
The defense begins mounting their attack on the coroner's report by arguing that hemorrhaging could have been caused by EMS workers who performed CPR on Love. They also asked for Love's medical records and raised questions that the presence of the prescription medicine Adderall in her system could have triggered a cardiac arrhythmia.

March 6, 2011
The University of Virginia retires Love's lacrosse number.

April 18, 2011
A grand jury indicts Huguely on six counts, including first-degree murder, robbery and burglary.

Feb. 3, 2012
Judge Edward Hogshire rules that graphic photos of Love's battered body can be shown in court, but will not be visible to the public.

Feb. 6, 2012
The first day of the Huguely murder trial opens with jury selection.

Feb. 15, 2012
The prosecution wraps up its case after calling about 50 witnesses in the first week and a half of the trial. The list included medical experts who said Love died from "blunt force trauma," and a former teammate who said Huguely lied about where he was when Love died.

Feb. 22, 2012
A jury of seven men and five women convicts Huguely of second-degree murder and suggests a sentence of 26 years.

The defense opened its case with medical experts who said that it was more likely that Love died from suffocation.

Apr. 26, 2012
Sharon Love, Yeardley's mother, sues George Huguely V for more than $30 million in in Charlottesville for the death of her daughter.

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE YEARDLEY LOVE AND GEORGE HUGUELY FILE:

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

[rchris5453]

04:40 PM on 04/27/2012

Rich 6 year college student with a sullied history beats his "on again off again girlfriend to death" and it's called second degree ? He had the gull to steal her laptop after he killed her ? No call by him to the police and he had to be questioned rather than coming forward ? MURDER !

[dexsj]

09:16 PM on 02/28/2012

This is a classic case of how MONEY and the right connections can buy the Court. First, let me start out by making this prediction. HE WILL NOT RECEIVE MORE THAN 12 Years when he receives his sentence in April. I also find it odd that her roommate who found the bloody body, signs of struggle, and a kicked in door phoned 911- only to report that Love possibly died from alcohol poisoning. The Prosecution really got in bed with the defense on this one. But whats stinks the most is his lack of remorse. Another self centered Spoiled Rich kid who never worked for anything and used to getting away with everthing. Just ask the female police officer he assulted.

[Levonsky]

01:47 PM on 04/16/2012

yes, i know the type you describe: proud, arrogant entitled. he could not accept that someone would not bend to his will. his alcohol abuse merely gave him the courage he could not have otherwise to, in is mind, right a wrong.

[Scar Crimson]

05:21 PM on 02/22/2012

He needs the death penalty.

[simzillyjp]

03:28 PM on 02/20/2012

Lets see how quick this kid HITS another male. (in prison) I doubt he'd the the one to throw the 1st punch.

[donnasayeth]

03:00 PM on 02/20/2012

This young fella has had a problem with his conduct as we know it since he was 21 years old. How was his conduct in HS? Using the Restorative Practice model whereby people are held accountable for their actions with family and friends is one way to stem the tide of further misconduct. We only know about his past conduct because of police reports. What about his behavior that didn't get into the authorities hands. Our society needs to become aware of the ways to hold people accountable for inappropriate behaviors that affect us.

[Eenkling]

02:15 PM on 02/20/2012

Young people do some stupid stuff when hormones are raging. It sounds like the abuse went both ways. Adderall is a dangerous drug and widely abused. I wonder if the tox report will state how much was in her system at TOD. Responsible doctors that prescribe the medication should perform blood work and chest X-Rays regularly as the drug is known to cause heart attacks. Also, people who legally use Adderall are to fits of depression, anger, self-loathing, etc. It IS very possible for somebody on those meds to bang their own head on a wall, with their fists, etc, and even commit suicide.

[Gigis scoop]

05:30 PM on 02/20/2012

Hmmmm..... I'm sure that's what happened, she committed suicide. Probably after she knocked a hole in her door. Those bruises on his knuckles and the cut on his arm are independent of her death. Thanks for clearing that up.

[brutusmojo]

05:57 PM on 02/20/2012

The mans a remorseless lying violent murderer…the victim was not.For you to imply shes a suicide is despicable.

[Eenkling]

10:02 AM on 02/21/2012

I never stated that she committed suicide. What i stated is that people who are taking those types of medications have mental disorders and are capable of harming themselves or committing suicide. In reality, she shouldn't be drinking alcohol at all if she is taking prescribed Adderall. Adderall is to help your brain function and alcohol screws it up. I don't see how anybody can have a rational thought with two things battling each other in her brain. Alcohol causes people to do stupid and wreckless things, combine that with a drug that is a stimulant and there is no telling what a person does or says. Defend her all you want and slam him away in jail for an eternity., It doesn't change the fact that she had issues that caused her to rage and she was seen hitting him too. Guilt is a two way street in this incident.