CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - George Wesley Huguely V pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and five other charges Monday morning in his first appearance in court since the death of Yeardley Love, his ex-girlfriend, almost two years ago.
He wore a dark-blue blazer and tan pants as jury selection began in Charlottesville Circuit Court. Huguely looked considerably thinner than in the familiar photos of him as a University of Virginia lacrosse player. He is accused of beating Love, who also played lacrosse at UVA, in May 2010, just weeks before their expected graduations.
Huguely gave his name and age, 24, and answered "Yes, sir," 14 times when Judge Edward L. Hogshire asked a series of questions about whether he understood the charges and was satisfied with his attorneys.
The proceedings began a little after 9:30 a.m., and it is expected to take two days to empanel 12 jurors and three alternates from a pool of 160. The first group of 45 prospective jurors appeared Monday morning and the pace was slow as they were asked if they could be impartial and if they had formed opinions about the case, which is the focus of media attention locally, regionally and nationally.
As many as 30 reporters were in the courtroom and more watched on closed circuit TV from a remote location. The City of Charlottesville granted credentials to more than 150 news media members. One street near the courthouse is closed for satellite trucks and a line of camera crews faced the courthouse steps.
Huguely sat between defense attorneys Francis McQ. Lawrence and Rhonda Quagliana and appeared active in his defense, consulting with them frequently and taking notes as prospective jurors were questioned.
When Huguely entered the courtroom about 9:15 a.m., before potential jurors were brought in, he glanced at family and supporters seated in front rows. He appeared to avoid eye contact with Love's family and supporters, many of them wearing pink, seated in front rows near the prosecution table.
His hair was neatly trimmed, shorter than in the shaggy-haired photos of him as an athlete.
Love was face-down in bed in a pool of blood on her pillow when she was found by her roommate in their off-campus apartment in 2010. Huguely told police he entered her apartment, banged her head against the wall and took her computer as he left, tossing it in the trash, according to court documents. His attorneys said at the time that it was an "accident with a tragic outcome."
Huguely is charged with first-degree murder, felony murder in a robbery or attempted robbery, robbery of a residence, burglary, entering a house with intent to commit a felony and grand larceny. He faces a maximum sentence of life.
USA Today