Lawsuit Against Chevy Chase Lacrosse Star Murderer Heads to Trial

CHEVY CHASE, MD — A $30 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Maryland mother whose daughter was beaten to death by her boyfriend, a former lacrosse player at the University of Virginia, will head to trial next year, a judge has ruled, denying a requested delay sought by the mother.

George W. Huguely V, now 28, of Chevy Chase, was convicted of second-degree murder in 2012 for the slaying of his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love of Cockeysville. The 22-year-old University of Virginia student was beaten to death on May 3, 2010. Huguely is serving a 23-year sentence in Love's death, along with time for a grand larceny conviction.

Love was killed by Huguely in a drunken rage just weeks before she was to graduate, according to court testimony. Both played on the University of Virginia’s elite lacrosse teams, Patch earlier reported. Prior to the murder, Huguely had several run-ins with the law, including violent behavior.

Love's mother, Sharon Love, has also filed a $30 million lawsuit against Huguely. On Tuesday she asked a judge in Charlottesville, Virginia, to delay the trial for the wrongful death lawsuit, but the judge said no and the case will head toward a March 2017 trial.

According to an Associated Press report, the Virginia court has been waiting for a decision in a Maryland case over whether the Love family could receive money from the Huguely family's insurance policy. In that case, Sharon Love says Huguely didn't intend to kill her daughter; his attorneys want the Charlottesville case to be presented with that version of events.

SEE ALSO:

• Murder Conviction Upheld in Slaying of Lacrosse Player Yeardley Love
• Yeardley Love’s Mom, Sister Cry as Jury Weighs Sentence

Three instances of violence by Huguely are outlined in the wrongful death lawsuit that includes the coaches at the University of Virginia.

Jurors who convicted Huguely heard testimony that the two had a volatile, off-and-on relationship that included infidelity, physical violence and heavy drinking. One witness, for instance, said he had seen Huguely put Yeardley Love in a chokehold.

Love was found dead in her apartment after Huguely kicked a hole in her bedroom door and beat her after a day of heavy drinking, according to trial testimony. She died of blunt force trauma to the head. Huguely told police the two had had a physical confrontation but denied beating her, reports CBS DC.

Huguely was known to have a problem with alcohol. His prior convictions included Virginia charges of resisting arrest and public drunkenness. Following a February 2010 incident he wrote Love a letter admitting he had a problem and that he was “scared to know that I can get that drunk to the point where I cannot control how I act.”

Virginia has no parole, but Huguely could reduce his sentence by 15 percent if he earns credits by participating in prison programs and stays out of trouble. He also would be credited with time served, leaving him with 16 years in prison.

Sharon Love and Yeardley’s sister, Lexie, have started the One Love Foundation to draw attention to domestic violence. The foundation has created an awareness campaign about dating violence and two smartphone apps. The apps help people identify if they’re in an unhealthy relationship and offers ways to get help.

The foundation visits dozens of colleges and high schools each year to educate 16- to 24-year-olds on the signs of abuse.

»Patch file photos