BREAKING NEWS: Jury finds George Huguely guilty of second-degree murder of ex-girlfriend

[Playinghardball]

Last edited Thu Feb 23, 2012, 12:34 AM - Edit history (2)

Jurors on Wednesday found former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely V guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, NBC News reported.

Huguely of Chevy Chase, Md., was charged in the death of 22-year-old Yeardley Love, whose body was found battered, bleeding and bruised in the bedroom of her Charlottesville apartment in the early hours of May 3, 2010.

The jury of seven men and five women also found Huguely guilty of grand larceny but not guilty on four other charges: felony murder in the commission or attempted commission of a robbery; robbery; burglary - breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny; and statutory burglary - breaking and entering with intent to commit assault and battery.

Huguely, 24, did not visibly react to the verdict, and there was no overt sign of emotion from families of the victim and the defendant.

More at: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10480705-jurors-find-huguely-guilty-in-virginia-lacrosse-slaying

[Inspired]

1. That is a victory for the defense in this case. n/t

[LisaL]

2. Not really.

Had he gotten manslaughter that would be a victory.

[Inspired]

4. True but I bet they are celebrating anything less than a 1st degree conviction.

But what the hell do I know.

[LisaL]

5. Whether they will celebrate or not depends on what kind of time in prison he gets.

There is quite a big range.

[rocktivity]

14. Was Murder One the top charge?

Based on the article, it doesn't look like there was a strong case for pre-meditation. It looks like the top charge was Murder 2 with a lesser included (backup) charge of felony murder -- in which case, the prosecution DID win.


rocktivity

[Nancy Waterman]

38. They wanted murder one

got murder two

[rocktivity]

40. They should have done a plea deal for it, then

especially since the prosecution was willing to settle for Murder 2. Hughley could have ended up looking at no more then ten years, and his Daddy could have ended up saving a few bucks, not to mention the family's reputation.


rocktivity

[alp227]

3. George Huguely is the 5th George Huguely in his family line

"Huguely's great grandfather, George Huguely Sr., founded the company Galliher & Huguely in 1912, and has since been supplying the greater Washington D.C., area with construction supplies. Today, it is Huguely's grandfather who serves as the president of the company.

The suspect's own father, George Huguely IV, is described as a self-employed investor, and according to Federal Election Commission filings, has given generously to the Republican Party over the years." (ABC News, 5/6/10, "Accused UVA Murderer Came from A Life of Privilege&quot

Well, even members of the Lucky Lineage can get real justice. George V's arrogance got to his head too late for redemption. I guess you can keep naming your son after yourself for so many generations.

[southernyankeebelle]

6. If this guy serves 5 yrs I will be surprised. He'll get some easy place to stay. Watch. Money

talks. It would be nice if he reflects on what he did. However, I don't think it will do any good. He seems arrogant and the world owes him something. Spoiled little brat.

[RebelOne]

9. He has already served 20-some months,

so he should be out in 3 years or less.

[LisaL]

10. He is facing up to sixty years.

[rocktivity]

16. I hope the judge runs the sentences consecutively

like OJ Simpon's did.


rocktivity

[southernyankeebelle]

19. Gee, wonder if daddy's wealth had anything to do with it.

[onenote]

24. Jury has recommended 26 years.

[MADem]

29. So he'll do, what 13 if he's good? And he has already done a year and a half or so.

Still a light sentence for killing someone.

[onenote]

31. Virginia abolished parole in 1995

From the tone of your post, it would seem that is something you would applaud.

[MADem]

32. I've just never been a fan of brutal murder, is all. I'm funny like that. NT

[onenote]

35. I'm not a fan of it either. But I also believe that justice should be tempered

with mercy and that the purpose of imprisonment is not merely retribution. I support the concept of parole for the same reason that I don't support inflexible mandatory sentencing -- individualized assessments of felons, both at the time of sentencing and later, are more just, imo.

[onenote]

25. You'll be surprised.

Or put it this way, I'll be very surprised if he gets off in five years or less.

[mia]

7. He deserves the death penalty,

He got off easy.

[obamanut2012]

12. The death penalty wasn't under consideration

But life without parole was. I am very disappointed it wasn't First Degree. It was premeditated.

[onenote]

23. and you know that based on what?

The jury, which heard more of the evidence than you did disagreed, so why are you so certain you know what they don't?

[a2liberal]

28. Some people love to play judge, jury, and executioner

It's part of the lust for revenge that can consume without consideration of or concern for minor things like actual guilt (or level of guilt). The same thing that had people livid over Casey Anthony being acquitted (because she "seemed" guilty even though there was no hard evidence) or had people assuming DSK was guilty of rape and should pay. It feeds a primal urge to feel safe by making sure "the bad guy" is known and punished (also what leads to stereotyping and ostracizing of groups...). I unfortunately have come to expect it from the general populace but it really saddens me when I see progressives fall into that trap.

[underpants]

8. No surprise. Rich boy gets at least adequate legal help.

I knew this was coming when a friend from Maryland told me how rich his old man is. The only reason he was in UVa is because it was an option when he was born.

[Comrade Grumpy]

13. I think that's absolutely correct.

He was able to afford top notch legal talent, like anyone facing a serious criminal charge would want.

That legal talent got him off on the most serious charge, which seems a just decision, given what little I know of the case.

He had money and was able to get justice. In America, you can have all the justice you can afford.

[underpants]

18. They really didn't do much in court from what I have read

but tainting the jury pool in Charlottesville and selecting the right jury was where the old man's money paid off.

[Tom Ripley]

11. Thank god he is finally out of that lacrosse ghetto!

[rocktivity]

20. In a police interrogation video viewed by jurors, Huguely said

Last edited Thu Feb 23, 2012, 10:27 PM - Edit history (5)

he went to Love's apartment to talk about their sputtering, two-year relationship and she "freaked out" when he broke into her room. Their encounter quickly turned physical, with Huguely admitting he may have shaken her but insisting he didn't grab her neck or punch her. He also claimed she repeatedly banged her head on the bedroom wall.

Newsflash, Huguely -- in the real world, it's standard operating procedure to freak out when someone breaks into your room. What was he accustomed to, being served tea and scones?

He admitted to breaking in? Then why wasn't he charged with breaking and entering alone?

And SHE's the one who repeatedly banged her head on the wall? Well, was that before, after, or DURING the time in which Huguely "may have" shaken her?


rocktivity

[onenote]

26. he was charged with breaking and entering

In Virginia the crime of breaking and entering is called Statutory Burglary and that was one of the charges (along with "burglary&quot

§ 18.2-90. Entering dwelling house, etc., with intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson; penalty.

If any person in the nighttime enters without breaking or in the daytime breaks and enters or enters and conceals himself in a dwelling house or an adjoining, occupied outhouse or in the nighttime enters without breaking or at any time breaks and enters or enters and conceals himself in any building permanently affixed to realty, or any ship, vessel or river craft or any railroad car, or any automobile, truck or trailer, if such automobile, truck or trailer is used as a dwelling or place of human habitation, with intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson in violation of §§ 18.2-77, 18.2-79 or § 18.2-80, he shall be deemed guilty of statutory burglary, which offense shall be a Class 3 felony. However, if such person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.


§ 18.2-91. Entering dwelling house, etc., with intent to commit larceny, assault and battery or other felony.

If any person commits any of the acts mentioned in § 18.2-90 with intent to commit larceny, or any felony other than murder, rape, robbery or arson in violation of §§ 18.2-77, 18.2-79 or § 18.2-80, or if any person commits any of the acts mentioned in § 18.2-89 or § 18.2-90 with intent to commit assault and battery, he shall be guilty of statutory burglary, punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than one or more than twenty years or, in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, be confined in jail for a period not exceeding twelve months or fined not more than $2,500, either or both. However, if the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.

[rocktivity]

27. The article describes statutory burglarly as being "WITH INTENT to commit assault and battery."

I don't believe he broke in with an intent to kill, or even to take her laptop with him when he left. I believe he broke in because she refused to let him in. Isn't THAT a crime?


rocktivity

[onenote]

30. In Virginia that would be the simple crime of trespass, a misdemeanor

If any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee, custodian, or the agent of any such person, or other person lawfully in charge thereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by or at the direction of such persons or the agent of any such person or by the holder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument creating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to the use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such land, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court of competent jurisdiction by an order issued pursuant to §§ 16.1-253, 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, 16.1-278.2 through 16.1-278.6, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.14, 16.1-278.15, 16.1-279.1, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 or § 19.2-152.10 or an ex parte order issued pursuant to § 20-103, and after having been served with such order, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of §§ 18.2-132 through 18.2-136.

I know it seems like a gap in the law that is nothing in between simple misdemeanor and forcibly entering a dwelling without the intent to commit any other offense but that's the way it is under the Virginia criminal code.

[rocktivity]

36. But simple trespass doesn't mention either force or damage to property.

Last edited Sun Aug 30, 2020, 01:10 PM - Edit history (6)

The jury was right to acquit him of the breaking and entering charges, then -- they didn't apply. There is a "gap" in VA law, indeed: there should be one that "simply" says that it's illegal to forcibly enter a dwelling, period.

Thanks for all your help!


rocktivity

[MADem]

34. Apparently he put his foot through the door.

They found his leg hairs around the hole, and his leg was bloodied.

I'd say that kind of ruckus would freak anyone out. Pity she didn't call 911 straight off.

[rocktivity]

21. That kind of thing can happen to anyone

Last edited Thu Feb 23, 2012, 03:16 PM - Edit history (2)

I once found an old boyfriend of mine with another woman. And they were both so ashamed of themselves, they bumped into a knife that just happened to be there. Thirty times. EACH!!!


rocktivity

[PavePusher]

22. And in the back too, amIright? They must have been retreating through the kitchen.....

(Joke, of course.)

[MADem]

33. That was funny, that exchange!

Truly! I love a little vicious wit every now and again--it's getting too rare around these parts of late, unfortunately.

[Blue_Tires]

37. Wow...And this is a state that is orgasmic over sending people to the electric chair

The rich kid will have a good part of his life left when he gets paroled...

[Nancy Waterman]

39. Poster above said Virginia abolished parole in the 1990's

I am still getting over that shocking reality. I really can't stand what goes on in Virginia.
I am in Maryland and cross the river as little as possible.

The real issue with Hugely is his very obvious alcoholism and the fact that he got out
of control, belligerent, and violent when drunk. It seems no one addressed this in his 24 years.