George Huguely Trial Update: Jurors Begin Deliberations In Yeardley Love's Death

A jury is preparing to decide the fate of George Huguely V, and begin deliberating Wednesday whether the former college lacrosse player beat his ex-girlfriend to death.

Huguely, 24, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and five other charges. If convicted of the May 2010 killing of Yeardley Love, also a University of Virginia lacrosse player, Huguely could be sentenced to anywhere from one day to life in prison, ABC News reported.

The small-town jury of 12 jurors and two alternates in Charlottesville, Va., is made of seven men and seven women. Besides the first-degree murder count, they could also find Huguely guilty of lesser charges including second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter, as USA Today reported.

Prosecutors claim that Huguely went to Love's apartment around midnight, kicked down her bedroom door and killed her by banging her head against the wall. His defense admits he was in her room prior to her death and concedes that the former couple got into an altercation, but his lawyers argue that Love's death was accidental and possibly caused by a medical condition.

SEE KEY DATES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LACROSSE MURDER CASE

During closing arguments on Saturday, both sides urged the jury to pay close attention to the taped police interview recorded hours after Love died, according to the Washington Post.

On that tape, Huguely said he shook Love and perhaps grabbed her neck, but insists he didn't inflict serious bodily harm on her.

The medical examiner who performed Love's autopsy says she died from a "blunt force trauma to the head," while a doctor called by the defense says she probably suffocated from lying face down on her bed while blood pooled in her mouth.

The jury has seen a batch of photos of Love's beaten body and email messages between the on-again, off-again couple that were not shown to the public. However, Virginia prosecutors said Huguely wrote in an email to Love, "I should have killed you."

Defense attorney Francis Lawrence implored the jury to dismiss the most serious charges against Huguely. "George bears responsibility in her death," Lawrence said, according to CBS News. "He played a role in that, and he will take responsibility for it in a way you determine."

If the jury convicts Huguely, the trial would shift to the sentencing phase. More witnesses, like Huguely's parents, would testify and the lawyers would make another set of closing arguments, ABC News reported. The jury would then deliberate on a penalty to suggest to the judge hearing the case.

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE GEORGE HUGEULY AND YEARDLEY LOVE FILE:

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• 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

[Bella820]

08:45 PM on 02/22/2012

This jury has brains that worked for the victim! Now hopefully little Georgie will get the full 40 years on the murder and than consecutive time for the other crimes related! Thank you Jury!

[Cody50]

06:59 PM on 02/22/2012

Verdict just in. NBC 12 Richmond reporting that Huguely is guilty of 2nd Degree murder.

[babybelle]

06:34 PM on 02/22/2012

Just heard on HLN a verdict has been reached !

[snapper123]

06:10 PM on 02/22/2012

It is a shame that this young lady felt like she was safe in her apartment. Knowing how he enjoyed drinking and his temper she should have been prepared for a confrontation. It would have been nice to read that she shot him and he suffered very little. Hand guns are made for self defense and would have made a world of difference in who was going to be buried.
Hopefully he will be found guilty of 1st degree murder.

[Parade Keegan]

04:42 PM on 02/22/2012

Guilty.

[Huah]

04:07 PM on 02/22/2012

Slick lawyers probably won't carry the day here. A sick crime.

[computerfan]

03:52 PM on 02/22/2012

Once again we are reading about a young woman's life being snuffed out and a high priced lawyer working his magic to spin a story that she wasn't killed by the beating rendered by her BF but by a medical condition that caused her to expire. Let's hope common sense prevails but it seems to be in short supply recently.

[TheFabOne]

03:36 PM on 02/22/2012

He's got the perfect last name.

His new cellmate Large Marvin is gonna make a dent in his behind HUGELY.

[bob3812]

03:33 PM on 02/22/2012

He took the life of an innocent girl.....not it time to pay the piper.....his life in jail where he can remind himself every day that because of his actions, a beautiful young girll cannot live her life along with her friends and family whose lives he also ruined.

[TheFabOne]

03:29 PM on 02/22/2012

Time to trade the lacrosse stick for the long stick of.........THE TOSSED SALAD MAN!!!

[firststatemate]

02:40 PM on 02/22/2012

In my court of justice: Second degree murder, 15 years minimum without parole-case closed

[nvdesertdreamer]

02:34 PM on 02/22/2012

That pretty little white boy is going to be a great lover in prison.

[Common Sense 69]

02:19 PM on 02/22/2012

I doubt he will get convicted of 1st degree. The jury will likely convict him of 2nd degree or voluntary manslaughter. I'm not saying that I would agree with this verdict, but rather I'm saying that 1st degree murder is VERY hard to prove because it involves meticulous pre-meditation. To me, this seems like the spoiled rich kid couldn't have what he wanted, so he exploded in a fit of rage. He probably wanted to beat her up, but not actually kill her - so I do believe that he accidentally killed her. The fact that he said "I should have killed you" when he found out about her talking to another guy means very little in my opinion. Lots of young people say things like that from time to time, without actually meaning it. This seems more like a crime of passion/rage rather than a carefully thought out murder. For comparison, Casey Anthony was 1st degree murder because she carefully planned it out. This kid went there to confront her and lost it and flew into a fit of rage with terrible consequences. It's hard to prove that this was pre-meditated from just one comment. Obviously he will be convicted of something, as his lawyer has conceded that he caused her death. So yes, he will go to prison - unlike that monster Casey Anthony who walked free. My guess is 2nd degree.

[CherMoe]

04:37 PM on 02/22/2012

This guy went to the girls house and bashed her door in. How many minutes or hours did he have in which to STOP HIMSELF? That's what they call premeditation. If they were standing there having an argument or he walked in on her with another man, that might be a crime of passion and not warrant a charge of premeditated murder. He had plenty of time and opportunity to stop himself.

[Hugh Briggs]

01:30 PM on 02/22/2012

Ahh, the 'dumb drunk' defense. Ya I don't think that is going to work for you George, and what's with all the sad eyed photos. I hope you get life without parole and suffer beatdowns every day for what you did to that young lady.
Guys, if a woman leaves you, take it like a man. Take it as an opportunity to improve yourself and find a better woman. Nothing she can say or do is an excuse to physically assault someone . And for the clowns that speculate that she initiated a physical confrontation, I would like to think If I outweigh someone by 100lbs, and I'm a 'Lacrosse' player I could escape a beatdown from my ole-lady.
Throw the entire book at this trash.

[littlepuffycloud]

12:21 PM on 02/22/2012

Hope his cellmate does to him what he did to Miss Love..