Yeardley Love and her ex-boyfriend, George Huguely, who is now on trial for first degree murder.
You may remember that almost two years ago, a star UVA lacrosse player named Yeardley Love was tragically murdered just a few weeks before she planned to graduate. Yesterday, George Huguely began his trial for the first degree murder of Yeardley, his ex-girlfriend.
Police reports state that George, who was also a UVA lacrosse player, beat Yeardley to death after an argument. The two had dated but ended their relationship just before she died. It is assumed that they may have been fighting about this break up the night that Yeardley was murdered.
According to additional reports, George confessed to police that he hit Yeardley during their argument and that her head continually banged against a wall. When Yeardley’s roommate found her in their apartment on May 3, 2010, she was dead, face down on the pillow in a pool of blood.
Despite this admission to police, George Huguely plead not guilty yesterday to six charges, including the first degree murder of Yeardley Love. According to news reports, George was somber and displayed little emotion throughout the first day of the trial. If convicted of first degree murder, he could spend life in prison.
UVA administration is attempting to prepare their students for the attention that is to come, providing counseling services for those who will have difficulty coping with the murder trial. UVA’s president, Terry Sullivan, emailed the student body, suggesting that they make an effort to create a caring community during this difficult time.