Love’s mother filed a wrongful death suit to hold George Huguely V responsible for Yeardley’s murder. Love and Huguely, who played lacrosse at UVA, were in a on-again, off again relationship. The lawsuit seeks $29.5million in compensatory damages, and $1 million for punitive damages.
The case was heard by eleven jurors, seven regular jurors and four alternate jurors. The trial at Charlottesville Circuit Court will last approximately eight days. Opening statements will be made Tuesday.
Love, from Cockeysville in Maryland, and Huguely of Chevy Chase, Maryland were both seniors that were just weeks away of graduating. Their play on UVA’s national-ranked women’s and men’s lacrosse teams was well-known, as well as their volatile relationship.
Prosecutors claimed that Huguely kicked Love out of her bedroom, beat Love after a day of drinking and golf, angered by the fact that Love was in a relationship from North Carolina with a North Carolina lacrosse player.
The medical examiner determined that Love, 22, died from blunt force trauma to the head. However, defense and prosecution experts had differing opinions about the fatal consequences of her injuries.
Many potential jurors testified to Judge Richard Moore that they had heard or read media reports on the case since Yeardley’s death or Huguely’s trial in 2012. Moore dismissed three potential jurors who stated that they had formed an opinion on the case and would not be able to set aside their opinion to serve as jurors in civil cases.
Many of the same witnesses are expected to be present at the civil trial, but many will testify via videotaped depositions rather than in person.
Matthew Green, Huguely’s attorney, stated that the defense will admit that Huguely assaulted and beat Love and that Love’s family is entitled for compensatory damages. The jury will decide the amount. He said that the defense doesn’t believe punitive damages should be awarded.
Love’s sister and mother, as well as Huguely’s mom, were in courtroom Monday.
Green stated that Huguely would be brought to court from jail on the day he is due to testify but not on any other days.
