Lawyer: UVa Student's Death 'Not Intended'

RAW VIDEO: Huguely's Lawyer Makes Statement to Media

May 4, 2010

The lawyer for the defendant in the UVa lacrosse murder case told reporters Tuesday that George Huguely did not intend to kill Yeardley Love, that it was a tragic accident.

Huguely is the UVa fourth-year accused in the murder of Love, also a fourth-year. Both played for the university's lacrosse teams.

He appeared in a Charlottesville courtroom through a video link-up from Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Jail. Huguely said little during the brief hearing but could be heard once thanking the judge.

After the hearing, defense lawyer Fran Lawrence told reporters that Love's death was "not intended but an accident with a tragic outcome." Lawrence also said in a statement that Huguely would be withdrawing from UVa., just three weeks before graduation.

Lawrence knows his way around Charlottesville courtrooms. He is a lawyer with a local firm and has represented several other high profile defendants.

The next court date in the Huguely case is June 10, although it's not clear whether that's a hearing or a procedural checkpoint in the case.

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George Huguely's lawyer, Fran Lawrence, released the following statement Tuesday morning:

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF GEORGE HUGUELY AND HIS FAMILY

Because this case involves an active ongoing investigation, any comment on the specific facts would be inappropriate at this time. Until more information becomes available, it is our hope that no conclusions will be drawn or judgments made about George or his case.

However, we are confident that Ms. Love's death was not intended, but an accident with a tragic outcome.

In the meantime, George is withdrawing from the University of Virginia and remains in the custody of authorities.

Grief has descended on this community as we attempt to understand what happened and why. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who grieve this terrible loss.