Ex-lacrosse player convicted in slaying

A jury convicted a former University of Virginia lacrosse player yesterday of second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend in a drunken, jealous rage, rejecting a first-degree murder verdict and a possible life sentence.

Instead, jurors recommended a 25-year prison term for George Huguely V in the May 2010 slaying of Yeardley Love. They added one more year for a grand larceny conviction.

Huguely was found not guilty of four other charges, including breaking and entering and burglary.

Huguely, 24, of Chevy Chase, Md., bowed his head during sentencing. Circuit Judge Edward Hogshire set an April court date on sentencing matters before a formal sentencing expected in the summer. He is not bound by the jury's recommendations, but Virginia judges typically heed jurors' wishes.

Jurors deliberated for about nine hours. Huguely stood erect, flanked by his attorneys, and appeared stoic as the verdict was read. Sobs could be heard in the court.

Prosecutor Dave Chapman said Huguely kicked a hole in Love's door to get in her bedroom and left his on-again, off-again girlfriend to die.

Huguely's attorneys said he went to Love's apartment to talk before the encounter quickly turned physical. He said she banged her head against the wall of her bedroom, and she had only a bloody nose when he left.