Jury reaches a verdict in Love murder

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A jury says a former University of Virginia lacrosse player should serve 25 years in prison for the second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend.
   
The jurors recommended the punishment hours after they found George Huguely V guilty of second-degree murder of Yeardley Love. The suburban Baltimore woman was found dead in the bedroom of her Charlottesville apartment in May 2010. He also was sentenced to 1 year for a grand larceny conviction.
   
Huguely's head was bowed during sentencing.
   
Love suffered a bashed in right eye and other facial injuries. Prosecutors said Huguely killed her in a drunken, jealous rage.
   
Circuit Judge Edward Hogshire scheduled an April hearing for formal sentencing. He is not bound by the jury's recommendations.


ABC2's Christian Schaffer tweeted  live from the courtroom.  Get your updates here & follow him at @chrisinbmore. Here is the latest from Charlottesville:

10:30: One hour down; no verdict at the # lovemurder # huguely trial. Police interrogation was a bit more than an hour long

9:53: WTOP reports jurors asked for the # huguely interrogation; Pros. & Def. attys. asked them to watch it during closings # lovemurder

9:50: Sharon and Lexi Love, and other friends and family members, are still sitting in the courtroom # lovemurder # huguely

9:42: Judge and attorneys agreed if there are any guilty verdicts against # huguely sentencing phase of the # lovemurder trial would begin 1/2 hour later

9:40:  As to timing for the rest of the trial, Judge Hogshire said to the attys: "I really want to finish it today if we can" # lovemurder # huguely

9:38: One witness was not allowed to testify, another's cut short because defense e-mailed them about prosecution's experts # lovemurder # huguely

9:36: After deliberations began, judge and attorneys discussed what rejected defense testimony WOULD have been # lovemurder # huguely ...and how the prosecution would have countered it. Defense had hoped to have expert testify on re-profusion injuries # lovemurder # huguely

9:25: Final instruction from the judge was to ask jurors not to use their notes to try to sway other jury members # lovemurder # huguely

9:24: Judge Hogshire: "We appreciate your service. At this point I'm going to turn this case over to you" # lovemurder # huguely

9:18: Prosecutor now asking judge of the court can "help" in case the dismissed alternate jurors are contacted by the media # lovemurder # huguely

9:15 : Huguely jury will be 7 men, 5 women. Two alternate jurors were chosen randomly and dismissed

9:14: First order of business at the # lovemurder # huguely trial- dismiss two alternates. Two female jurors dismissed

9:08: Def. attorneys Francis Lawrence and Rhonda Quagliana arrive for deliberations today at the # lovemurder # Huguely trial http://pic.twitter.com/aDfjJPoB (see photo)