Huguely unhappiness: Murderer won't get new trial from judge
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Getting escorted into Charlottesville Circuit on August 22.dave mcnair
George Huguely did not look pleased. His lawyer was hurling out argument after argument to the judge who oversaw his trial– and each argument got shot down.
Huguely, 24, was convicted in February of second-degree murder in the 2010 beating death of his girlfriend, fellow UVA lacrosse player and student Yeardley Love.
As defense lawyer Fran Lawrence was trying to convince Judge Edward Hogshire Wednesday that there was insufficient evidence of malicious intent, Huguely raised his cuffed hands to chin, and his mother– making the same gesture– slumped forward.
"He comes in and puts his foot through the door," exclaimed the incredulous Hogshire.
"I understand that he did that, Judge," replied Lawrence before launching into additional pleas for Hogshire to set aside the verdict.
It didn't happen.
On every topic, including the allegation that the judge unfairly denied a defense witness the latitude to answer questions on certain medical topics after the defense admitted that it breached the rules by sharing trial info among witnesses, the judge shot them down.
The now long-haired and unshaven former student athlete stared out at his parents, sister, and other relatives in Charlottesville Circuit Court during the August 22 hearing which resulted in a ruling that sentencing will take place as planned August 30.
The jury recommended 25 years on the second-degree murder charge and another year for the theft of Love's laptop computer. Legal experts with whom the Hook has conferred predict no deviation from the jury's proposed sentence.
After sentencing, Huguely's only remaining venues within the state judicial system would be the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Virginia Supreme Court.
–5:01pm on Sunday, August 26: photo changed for print publication; last sentence added
42 comments
I think Bob Dylan says it best....
"like a rolling stone"
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
You've gone to the finest school all right,
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but know you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
This thug doesn't deserve the honor of a quote from the great Dylan.
Hooray for Judge Hogshire. Always thought he was a good choice for the position.
Squirm , worm, squirm.But your pricey lawyers are hopefully not going to keep you from paying for the awful crime you did.
George, you are paying for the sins of all the UVa men who rape and pillage and get away with it.......maybe your daddy can fund a program to stop violence against women on campus, and then everyone will know you are "sincere".
Re: Hugely's unhappiness. As the Judge stated, he kicked down his friend's door. Then with her screaming, he knocked her head in the wall until he was almost dead. He left her bleeding, takes her computer and leaves without calling 911 because he was afraid he would get in trouble or maybe he just didn't care.. There were many red flages. He also choose not to get help with his anger and alcoholism.
I realize that Lawrence and Q. would like to drag this out as long as possible. I'm sure the money, even tho his dad is not as flush as previously, sure beats defending drug pushers and collecting stipens from the state.. H. needs to realize he is guility of a horrific crime.
As the mother and grandmother of several girls, my heart is broken.
To those who say squirm worm and refer to thug and who mock a man who is down: Were you ever in a terrifying trench and you couldn't get out? Did you ever do something so awful that you didn't mean to do and then wished to God that you could do anything to undo and felt like dying from shame? Is your conscience so clear that you have no empathy? I am sure you are not so hollow. The adults, including coaches, in this young man's life failed him time and again For years. It is heartbreaking and outrageous. His attorneys are most likely the first adults who have ever gone to bat for him. He needed psychological help long ago for his emotional desperation, for his severe attachment disorder which most assuredly explains his devastating alcoholism for which there was no intervention. He did not intend to hurt, much less kill. In the years to come he will do well. One may say, how can he do well in prison? Yes, he can. He can be a mentor. He can learn. He can teach. He will come out of this a very strong person. We will be thinking of him and wish him well. We will also be remembering Yeardley and her completely devastated family. We wish them peace in their broken hearts. We must look out for each other and speak up for our young people who are in trouble. In no uncertain terms: there but for the grace of God go you. or I.
Sarah, people have been making excuses for him for years, just like his attorneys. He is responsible for his own actions. No one else.
Sarah, he will not get my sympathy at all. He was born with a silver spoon in mouth, privileged - and obviously a very warped family that did nothing to curb his elitist mentality or help him become a better person. Yes, this might just change him, it could make him even worse. Prisons in this country do not rehabilitate, they make better criminals, that is a fact. The jury is still out on that.
My sympathy goes to the Love family and all her friends out there who are missing a person who had no reason to die and every reason to live. When he does come out of this - only then after he has served his time and done his penance will I even consider re-evaluating my opinion on that man. He would have to earn it. His time has just begun.
As the saying goes, he made his bed and now he has to lie in it.
Way I was brought up, you had to answer for your deeds and making excuses did not cut it.
Alcohol? Have known some heavy drinkers, yet they never committed murder.Many of us had family issues,childhoods that were not the greatest in the world, yet we managed to choose right over wrong. Maybe it was in part because we knew we were not entitled and privileged,and if we got in trouble Mom and Pop did not have the money for expensive lawyers to keep us out of jail.So we tried to keep our noses clean.
He chose to go her apartment and get violent.He chose to throw away everything he had, his University degree, a future career , and his freedom.Yes, we can choose to feel sorry for someone who got himself in such a fix.But he chose to do it.
Yeardley Love did not choose what happened to her.Her family did not choose the sorrow of losing her. Same is true of all crime victims and their families. It is they that get my empathy.
Go Hogshire!!
With so much effort put forth by this town to reinstate Sullivan, when are you all going to understand that this crime could have been prevented IF the lacrosse coach and University had stepped up and given this young man the help he needed BEFORE he killed an innocent women. I challenge all of you who showed up to protest Sullivan's firing to now vigorously protest the way the University turns a blind eye to rape and assault crimes. Yeardley did not need to die; young women do not have to endure the PTSD of campus rape. Your campus police and local police need to step up to the plate.
Sarah,
I am sure in the most dangerous ghetto in america there is as we speak a person this guys age who is in a way deeper 'tremch" than george was EVER in...He is not kicking in doors and bashing peoples heads in until they die.
This guy was born with everything a person needs except a responsible parents.
He deserves nothing but 1500 calories of mediocre food a day and protection so he is not raped.
Any other resources provided to him would be at the expense of a person who didn't kill someone else.
Given the evidence of alcohol abuse I'm not sure any one could or can help this young man, other than the young man himself.
@Nancy -- the University lacrosse coach knew about his alcoholism. As his coach and mentor, he should have done something. As a human being, he should have done something.
Sarah, Thank you. You're right. The courts, social services, attorneys, C.A.'s,-- they react the same way to far lesser crimes and to the slightest of transgressions; prosecute everyone, always, compound the misery and propagate more pain.
You're beautiful
Sarah, I wish I lived in your world. You remind me of H.L Mencken's definition of an idealist: someone who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it will make better soup.
He's going down. It's just a shame that Andrew Alston didn't get the 25 years he should have got....
The problem here is not whether or not poor silver-spoon fed George is guilty or not. He is. The point is that Edward Hogshire seems like he is the end answer to everything in this territory. Judge, Prosecutor and Jury all rolled into one. It's his way or the highway. Any defense? Not. Over-ruled with no reason as to why but those opinions that he predisposes. He (Hogshire) has some good company. The Dam Man ramming his desires down everyone's throats but dredging going to happen anyhow. Then there is Mr. By-Pass too. Seems like a scene out of a rat-pack movie. However, these old rats are and have the backing of old money. Time for an exterminator (the people) to come in and eliminate these rats and send them off to the fields for turkey vulture fodder.
@Simply said - that isn't just at this University but all out there it is the culture of "sports" in high schools and colleges across this nation. Perhaps parents should raise their young men to know "no" means NO. That women are not punching bags and to be upstanding and take responsibility for their actions. Yes, all colleges, universities and schools need to adopted better policies, obviously with Penn State to UVA - we have more of a chance with Sullivan at the helm then we did with any other. But it would first starts with parents. Perhaps we should make sure that before you have a child in this nation you are qualified?
The primary motivation at this point is to keep him out of big boy prison for just a little longer. They can spend the money to try to extend this as long as possible, knowing that any sentence will account for time served in any jail or prison. In his difficult situation, it is likely he would far rather be serving his time for beating his girlfriend to death in the joint security complex than in the penitentiary. They have the money to try to drag this out--they are spending it for a few more months in the local jail and the now very, very faint hope of reversal.
It does us all good to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. For those who have some insight: glad there are people around who aren't afraid to feel empathy. This troubled world of ours needs lots more idealism, empathy and compassion so let's not miss a chance to express it.
Sarah, I am in complete agreement with you. This is an unimaginable tragedy for both families. But 26 years for an act that was unintentional? That's justice? I am reminded of an Amish quote on the ability to forgive -" you release unto God the one who has offended you and give up the right to seek revenge." I pray for Yeardley Love's family and their profound loss. As the mother of a daughter and a son, I pray for George and his family as well. Their loss is no less.
.
This whole court case is a sham. Hogshire taught at UVA. All the lawyers are UVA related. Prosecutor is soaked undergrad and UVA law. Nearly every entity in Cville is directly or indirectly related to UVA.
Let's see how harsh the sentence will be? Remember how the self confessed rapist in the Securo case walked real early because of a paperwork error? Remember how that murderer Alston walked? Apparantly the victim stabbed himself with the perp's knife! Viva David Heilberg!
Hey, guys, this hearing was about legal issues. You'd all agree he had a right to a fair jury -- yes? If so, then if one or more jurors were unduly biased somehow, that would then violate that right.
Similarly, if he had the right to have both counsel present, then ditto.
I'm NOT saying there were any errors in his trial. Just get the willies from the lynch mob heedlessness to constitutional rights.
@moi
Your paranoia about UVa makes me believe you have affinity with a certain frequent commenter on local websites. That person has (or had) a case before this same judge.
Sarah voted for Obama.
The injuries that led to the death of Yeardley Love were most certainly intentional, at least according to the jury and the Murder 2 verdict. And no, the loss faced by the Huguely family does not compare with the loss faced by the Love family. The Huguelys can see their son again.
"Your paranoia about UVa makes me believe you have affinity with a certain frequent commenter on local websites. That person has (or had) a case before this same judge."
No paranoia. No case before Hogshire.
You must be a UVA hack or blinded by the koolaid they drink in Cville.
Funny had I made similar comments about the BoV before all the shenanigans last June you would have labeled me "paranoid" or not?
I know what I know and it tells me this institution is wickedly corrupt to the core!
What happened to the body of the women they found on grounds last June. Story died faster than anyone can blink! Whatever the cause why the silence? ZERO transparency. They think they are protecting the brand. Idiots, the way to protect a brand is through openness and transparency as this leads to progress and trust (also much less costly in the long run). Ask Penn State the cost to the College coffers and the brand!
Sarah. Might I take a quote from Billy Madison and alter it, "Sarah, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
The kid was a dumb college student but the fact is he killed a young, innocent person who had a fulfilling life in front of her. Her memory lives on but he parents will never recover. George should, and will, sit in jail thinking about this for a very long time. Chances are he will say he has discovered God and he wishes he never committed those crimes years ago. He is rehabilitated.........May that be the case 25 years from now but for now he shall sit with other criminals
The change in Huguely's appearance since the trial is striking. Now he looks much more like the creepy predator that he is. How humiliating it must be to appear before your family and the world in that prison outfit and shackles.
seems like George has basically said Fcuk It. His hair is a mess, he gained weight and seem to have a general "i dont give a F" face. he knew he had no shot, otherwise he would have looked like the 8th grader he pretended to be during trial. I wonder what they did with that 46L suit he wore
"No paranoia. No case before Hogshire."
OK, then not the same judge. But the same court.
It would seem that Georgie will have a lot of silence to mull over his many mistakes; his arrogance. Also, Fran Lawrence is going to have to go back to defending drugies. I hope we never have a case such as Huguely's again in my lifetime. Please pray with me for an better world and that UVA coaches will think twice before overlooking the truth. Behavior is so much more important than winning a "game."
"OK, then not the same judge. But the same court."
Wrong again. Never been or filed in any court in Cville or Virginia.
I have eyes and ears. I don't drink Koolaid and don't buy the UVA spin machine. I think we are the silent majority and with the advent of the internet they cannot get away with all these shenanigans for much longer.
This last episode from the dragas'in of Sullivan showed the emperor has no clothes. This is an institution that has gone unchecked for too long and that always leads to corruption. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Casteen's legacy. Students die and nothing happens to UVA. How much worse can it get? Seriously, if you call me paranoid for bringing these issues to the forefront then yes, I'm guilty, paranoid as charged!
@moi
Your writing continues to remind me of Sean.
Good try to find out who I am. I bet you work for UVA.
@C'Ville Native: You said "Perhaps parents should raise their young men to know "no" means NO. That women are not punching bags and to be upstanding and take responsibility for their actions. .... Perhaps we should make sure that before you have a child in this nation you are qualified?"
No disagreement with you but your comments are about as idealistic as Sarah's. If 99.9% of the population raises perfect kids the remaining ones will cause all the havoc. And those kids must be dealt with. I see no change with Sullivan at the head because you have the same worthless cops, Deans, Coaches and sexual assault advisors in place. Accountability and Responsibility is something that is instilled from a young age ... by the time these "kids" come to college, those of us who raised our kids correctly are hoping that the University keeps an eye out for the reckless ones. If any administrator or coach thinks that's too big a task, then they need to find another line of work.
@C'ville Native
Sorry to burst your bubble but sexual assaults have not stopped since she took office. Her so-called changes are BS. Not one rapist has been found guilty or has been kicked out during Sullivan's term. If it's not her fault it means she is not in charge or is she doing a Spanier? We don't even know who is in charge. Who calls the shots at UVA? Who is behind this misogynistic and sexist policy of covering up any and all crimes against women by male students?
@Sarah:
You stated in part "He did not intend to hurt..."
With all due respect, would you have anyone--juror, family member, or impartial observer--believe that when George in a fit of rage kicked in Yeardley's door...shook her repeatedly and violently...inflicted such horrific bodily harm that her limp, lifeless body was discovered with multiple contusions and blood coming from her nose...that he in fact meant her no harm?
Know this, Sarah: I am a person who believes both in the power of forgiveness and the potential for remediation and redemption. Those two things notwithstanding, I find it frankly incomprehensible that any thinking person might realistically believe that George Huguely did not intend to inflict harm on Yeardley Love.
Period.
Full stop.
I don't think GH went there with intention to kill her. He made his bed and now he has to lay in it. Everything that happened that night could have been prevented. No one stepped up. His father didn't step up; his friends didn't; his coaches didn't; YL friends didn't. Two lives lost in one night. I was in a store tonight and there was a bunch of UVA boys trying to outfit there apt. They were loud and obnoxious; flashing daddy's credit card. I wondered if that's how GH started out?
moi and Simply Said:
Full agreement there, that would be the ideal but it appears more and more there are parents out there who are not being parents to their children. I never stated that assaults had stopped with Sullivan and am in full agreement that there is a whole lot employed currently in and around UVA that have no regard for student safety. It must start some where and it does have to start with parents. I live with a fear each day that one of my children would fall victim to some predator half raised by those who do not value the blessings which were bestowed upon them. They have no clue.
And it is also true that the cover-ups of ALL colleges, universities and other institutions are a great cause and effect to incidents, facts are facts. If there was more transparency in everything perhaps the outcry from reasonable people could prevent or curb the numbers of victims we see today?
But we can would have, could have and may have all our lives - what happened - happened. No undoing it. Our society needs to start doing two things, taking responsibility for actions and non-actions and not to repeat the same mistakes.
Agree. And those who allow crimes to be swept under the rug also need to be dealt with. In my opinion, they are as guilty as the perps.
After reviewing the evidence, who the defendant was, and who his family is, I can now see why he was not charged with First Degree Murder. George Wesley Huguely is the son of George W Huguely IV, a very wealthy family. The father according to court records in Maryland has been in court more then some attorneys. He was recently charged for attempting to drive while intoxicated and on a suspended license. From what I can see, he got off. George, the one convicted in this murder is one of the heirs of Galliher & Huguely, a large lumber yard & hardware store on Blair Road in Washington DC. who also own apartment buildings, and other investments all over the east coast. This is a very private family which most people never herd of. They hide behind corporations in MD, DC, and in Delaware ( and maybe others) which is where a lot of wealthy corporations file for tax reasons and business protection. Galliher & Huguely run by Scott Huguely is the only company with a name I am aware of. The personal dealings I have had with this company have been less than perfect. They don't stand behind anything from what I can tell and if push comes to shove, tries to buy you out. This family have been big supporters and have given large donations to the Republican party, which is no surprise. As they say, It takes money to keep your money, and who else is going to give more tax deductions to the rich, but the Republicans party.
Back to George W Huguely, which is why we are here. This is not his first brush with the law. The only thing he has been deprived from is his parents divorced, but if that were a defense to murder, everyone would get off. The jury gave him 26 years which to me was light to begin with. I cannot believe this judge even reduced it by one day, but as they say money talks. I am sure there attorneys were the best money could buy and I am sure there appellate attorneys will also be the best. I am sure there will be a post conviction hearing as well, and if paid enough, I am sure his defense attorney will admit he did something wrong so the court will have an excuse to either give him another trial or even time served. This is a rich kid who never had to do anything for money and knew he will never have to work so to speak just like the rest of his family. When this all dies down, this is when they will make there move, but in the meantime, look for ways to get to who they need to get to. They said at 26 years he would be out in 20, so now at 23 years he will be out in less than 20 years. To bad for miss Love & her family. I will be surprised if he does 5 or 10. I know I will not support Galliher & Huguely and buy from them knowing its funding his legal defense.