CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - A Roman Catholic priest has testified that a former University of Virginia lacrosse player convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend is a spiritual person who displayed no anger or aggression in his presence.
The Rev. Joseph Scordo testified Thursday in Charlottesville at George W. Huguely V's sentencing hearing. The Chevy Chase, Md., man faces 26 years in prison for the beating death of Yeardley Love of suburban Baltimore.
Scordo said he has visited Huguely weekly in jail since the May 2010 slaying of Love. He said the "wild, out-of-control" person that Huguely has been portrayed as is not the man he knows.
Earlier, prosecution witnesses described Huguely beating a man who went home with Love after a party. A woman also testified he angrily put his hands around her neck.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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UPDATE: Testimony continues Thursday afternoon at the sentencing for convicted murderer George Huguely.
The prosecution called four witnesses to testify against the former UVA lacrosse player. The defense has called a family member and a priest to testify on Huguely's behalf.
Huguely faces up to 26 years. A decision is expected later today.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (AP) - A former University of Virginia lacrosse player who killed his ex-girlfriend faces a 26-year prison term at his sentencing in Charlottesville.
George W. Huguely V is scheduled to be formally sentenced Thursday by Circuit Judge Edward Hogshire for the May 2010 beating death of Yeardley Love. Jurors who convicted the 24-year-old Chevy Chase, Md., defendant in February recommended 26 years for the second-degree murder of the suburban Baltimore woman and a grand larceny conviction.
Judges in Virginia typically heed a jury's recommended sentence.
Huguely's attorneys are seeking a 14-year sentence.
The 22-year-old Love and Huguely were both lacrosse players at U.Va. Based on court testimony, the two had a volatile relationship that finally ended in Huguely beating Love in her Charlottesville apartment after a day of drinking and golf.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
