U.Va. Murder Trial Turns on Defendant's State of Mind

March 01, 2012

U.Va. Murder Trial Turns on Defendant's State of Mind

In the words of University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan, "we will leave the judgment in this case to the justice system." The case she refers to is a murder trial in which former male U.Va. student and lacrosse player George Huguely stands accused of the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love, who also attended U.Va. and played lacrosse.

In addition to first-degree murder, a grand jury indicted Huguely on the following criminal charges:
-Felony murder
-Burglary
-Robbery of a residence
-Grand larceny
-Entering a house with intent to commit a felony

Law Prof: Wrong to Presume Guilt

Though Love's death and the numerous charges against Huguely have generated a massive amount of discussion, such publicity should not affect the outcome of the case. As U.Va. School of Law Professor Anne M. Coughlin told students of the university, it would be wrong to prejudge Huguely's guilt. The prosecution must demonstrate that he acted with a culpable, or guilty, state of mind, Coughlin said.

For a jury to find the defendant guilty of first-degree murder, the prosecution must first prove that he killed Love and that this act was willful, deliberate or premeditated. In the alternative, the prosecution could argue that he killed her while committing or attempting to commit another crime such as robbery. In Virginia, a first-degree murder conviction carries a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

Legal Defenses

Huguely's criminal defense attorneys are expected to argue, as one of his lawyers stated soon after the defendant was arrested, that Love's death was tragic but accidental, according to The Washington Post. The defense has also stated it plans to challenge the medical examiner's finding that Love died of blunt force trauma to the head and explore the possibility that medication or alcohol contributed to her death.

Those who have been arrested or charged with a criminal offense should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who will advocate on your behalf and protect your legal rights until the case is resolved.

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