The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Jury pool narrows in ex-UVa lacrosse player case

FILE - An undated file photo provided by the Charlottsville Police Department shows University of Virginia men's lacrosse player George Huguely from Chevy Chase, Md. Huguely is charged with first-degree murder, robbery, burglary, breaking and entering, grand larceny and murder in the commission of robbery in the death of Yeardley Love during a drunken confrontation in May 2010. Jury selection for Hueuely's trial began Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 in Charlottesville Circuit Court. (AP Photo/The Daily Progress via Charlottsville Police Department, File)

Yeardley Love's sister, Lexie, leaves the Charlottesville Circuit Court during a break on the second day of jury selection Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 for the George Huguely trial in Charlottesville, Va. Huguely V, a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing his ex-girlfriend. Huguely V of Chevy Chase, Md., pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges on Monday. He's charged in the May 2010 death of Yeardley Love of Cockeysville, Md. She was a member of the Virginia women's lacrosse team. (AP Photo/The Daily Progress, Sabrina Schaeffer)

FILE - This undated file photo provided by Media Relations University of Virginia shows Yeardley Love. George Huguely is charged with first-degree murder, robbery, burglary, breaking and entering, grand larceny and murder in the commission of robbery in the death of Yeardley Love during a drunken confrontation in May 2010. Huguely pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges on Monday. Jury selection continues in Huguely's trial continues Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 in Charlottesville Circuit Court. (AP Photo/Media Relations University of Virginia, File)

Ad calls Brown career politician
New 11 min. ago
State directs $2.1M for scholarships
8:40 p.m.
Health policy help on way
8:27 p.m.
Parade to mark Memorial Day in Lebanon
6:01 p.m.
Lebanon updates law banning vicious dogs
5:59 p.m.
> More headlines

By ZINIE CHEN SAMPSON, The Associated Press 7:26 PM Tuesday, February 7, 2012

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Attorneys on Tuesday narrowed their pool of potential jurors in the trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing his ex-girlfriend.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers settled on a group from which they will choose 12 jurors and three alternates for the trial of George Huguely V. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and five other charges in the May 2010 death of 22-year-old Yeardley Love, a member of U.Va.'s women's lacrosse team.

Twenty-eight candidates were to return Wednesday morning because one potential juror said she would be traveling a day after the trial is expected to end. She was expected to be dismissed. Each side will choose to remove six.

Opening statements were expected to start Wednesday after the jury is seated in the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks.

In a process that opened Monday, lawyers asked potential jurors about their knowledge of the case and whether they had formed opinions on Huguely's guilt or innocence. Attorneys also asked the candidates about views on alcohol and domestic violence as well as any connections to the University of Virginia.

Circuit Judge Edward Hogshire sent the 28 candidates home for the night with instructions barring them from viewing or reading any media coverage of the case.

Huguely, of Chevy Chase, Md., watched the proceedings Tuesday while seated between his lawyers.

Court documents allege the 24-year-old defendant told investigators he kicked in Love's bedroom door, then shook her during an argument, causing her head to hit a wall several times. The state medical examiner's office said the 22-year-old Love died of trauma to the head.

Defense lawyers contend Love, of Cockeysville, Md., died from an irregular heartbeat partly caused by taking a prescription drug and drinking alcohol.

Huguely and Love had been involved in a two-year relationship that ended not long before her death, according to authorities. The woman's death occurred at the end of the 2009-10 school year when both would have graduated, stunning many on the 21,000-student campus in Charlottesville.

Hogshire issued an order barring defense attorneys, prosecutors and Charlottesville police from commenting on the case.

___

February 08, 2012 12:21 AM EST

Share this article