Murder Conviction in Slaying of Lacrosse Player Appealed to U.S. Supreme Court

A former University of Virginia lacrosse player from Chevy Chase convicted of second-degree murder for fatally beating his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love of Cockeysville, has filed what a legal expert says is a “long-shot” appeal with the United States Supreme Court.

George W. Huguely V, now 27, was convicted in 2012 for the slaying of Love, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student who was beaten to death on May 3, 2010. Huguely is serving a 23-year sentence.

His appeal to the Court of Appeals of Virginia was rejected in March 2014. Huguely’s defense team had argued he was denied adequate counsel because two of his lawyers fell ill before the trial, but it wasn’t delayed.

Huguely is also serving time for a grand larceny conviction, which he did not appeal, reports CBS DC.

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.

SEE ALSO:

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

Three of these instances are outlined in a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit that her mother, Sharon Love, has filed against the coaches at the University of Virginia.

She has also filed a $30 million lawsuit against Huguely, CBS says.

Huguely’s latest appeal to the country’s highest court filed Friday asks the court to reaffirm his right to have his choice of attorney on hand throughout the trial proceedings. “[Huguely’s] distinct interest in receiving not just competent assistance, but assistance from both his counsels of choice was given no weight,” reports the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

Legal experts told the newspaper that the U.S. Supreme Court is unlikely to hear Huguely’s case because it doesn’t pose a unique legal question; the court typically takes up ground-breaking issues.

Professor Carl Tobias of the University of Richmond Law School told the newspaper, “From what I know about this case, it seems unlikely the court would grant it, but you never know.”

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 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.

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.”

Huguely spent the day leading to Love’s death on a father-son golf tournament with teammates, visibly intoxicated and slurring his words, having drank for much of the day and well after dinner.

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 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 plans to visit more than 150 colleges and 70 high schools this year to educate 16- to 24-year-olds on the signs of abuse.