The lawyers for George Huguely V, the former University of Virginia lacrosse player who was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, are seeking a retrial.
Huguely’s lawyers asked a Charlottesville Circuit Court to set aside time for a hearing on a motion for retrial during a court appearance on a separate motion, the Charlottesville Daily Progress first reported. Huguely, of Chevy Chase, was convicted of second-degree murder and grand larceny in the May 3, 2010, death of his former girlfriend, 22-year-old Yeardley Love. The jury recommended a 26-year prison sentence for the crimes. The trial ended less than four weeks ago and the sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled.
Twenty-four-year-old Huguely and his lawyers made their retrial intent known during a court hearing Friday, where they disputed a request by a group of media companies to access evidence from the trial.
It’s not mere speculation that we might end up back here, trying this case again,” Huguely’s attorney, Rhonda Quagliana, told Judge Edward Hogshire, according to the Daily Progress. Huguely’s defense team did not explain why — or on what grounds — they are filing a motion for retrial, but they asked Hogshire to set aside a half day for a hearing on the request.
Unsealing the case’s evidence could make it difficult for Huguely to receive a fair trial in the future, Quagliana argued. Prosecuting attorney Dave Chapman agreed with Huguely’s defense team that the evidence should remain sealed, he told the judge.
The Washington Post and Gannett Co. are among the media companies seeking access to the evidence, which includes photographs of the crime scene and forensic records.
The judge made no decisions regarding the media companies’ request though he asked the lawyer representing the media companies to draft a plan for how the evidence would become available. Also at Friday’s hearing, Huguely’s attorneys discussed Huguely’s sentencing date, which will be scheduled in mid-April. Huguely’s lawyers want the sentencing hearing held in late August, while the prosecutor is pushing for an earlier date.
