Yeardley Love and George Huguely
AP(2)
A Maryland jury found University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely V guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend Yeardley Love.The case began in May 2010, after Love, a popular, all-American athlete, was found dead with obvious physical wounds.
Huguely, 24, admitted to having an altercation with his ex-girlfriend, but his lawyer denied her death was intentional. Huguely pled not guilty to six charges, including first-degree murder and felony murder in commission of a robbery.
Huguely's defense attorney Francis Lawrence said during closing arguments, "Yes, George contributed to her death. But no, he didn't kill her ... he left there with her alive, and that is not in dispute. There was no intentional killing, because she wasn't dead when he left."
After deliberating for nine hours, the jury decided Huguely was guilty of second degree murder, which can hold a sentence of anywhere from 5 to 40 years in jail, reports the Associated Press. Huguely was found not guilty on the most serious charge of first-degree murder. He was also convicted of grand larceny.