Deliberations will begin Wednesday in the murder trial of former UVA student George Huguely after lawyers presented closing statements Saturday.
The 24-year-old former lacrosse player is charged with first-degree murder. He has been accused of breaking into his girlfriend Yeardley Love’s bedroom in a drunken rage, smashing her head against the wall, and stealing her computer, before leaving her for dead.
Love, who died on May 3, 2010, was just two weeks from graduation.
The trial has been an emotional one, even prosecutor Warner Chapman wept in open court as he addressed the jury, according to ABCNEWS.com
“She couldn’t scream … was it his hand over her mouth? Was it her face being mashed into the floor?”
USA Today noted that Huguely, who had cried at earlier points, sat attentively but impassively during the closing arguments.
Medical examiners for the prosecution testified that she died of blunt force trauma to the head. A doctor for the defense testified that she suffocated on her own blood.
The 6-foot tall Huguely outweighed Love by more than 100 pounds. The prosecution painted a picture that Huguely had a history of violence and intoxication.
The prosecutor reminded jurors of an email Huguely wrote to Love, telling her, “I should have killed you,” after finding out that she was dating another man.
In his closing argument, defense lawyer Francis McQ. Lawrence admitted his client “bears responsibility” in Love’s death, according to the Washington Post.
“He played a role in that, and he will take responsibility for it in a way you determine,” he said, suggesting jurors should consider the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter rather than premeditated murder.
“He contributed to her death but he did not kill her,” Lawrence told the court.
Jurors can also opt to convict the defendant on second-degree murder, if they decide he acted with malice but without premeditation.
Huguely’s roommate and friend testified that Huguely had been drinking throughout the day Love died and lied about his whereabouts afterwards.
