Hearing For Suspect In Md. Woman's Death Postponed
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- A preliminary hearing for a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing a women's lacrosse player has been postponed after prosecutors filed five additional charges against him.
Charlottesville General District Court Judge Robert H. Downer Jr. said Monday that "justice is best served" by delaying the case to ensure that both sides are well prepared.
The preliminary hearing for George Huguely of Chevy Chase, Md., originally was set for Jan. 21. A new date was not immediately set.
Huguely, who is being held without bond, waived his right to appear by video at Monday's brief hearing. His lawyer, Francis Lawrence, declined to answer reporters' questions afterward.
Additional charges of felony murder, robbery, burglary, statutory burglary and grand larceny were filed against Huguely on Friday. Lawrence, already representing Huguely on a first-degree murder charge, informed Downer that he will be the lawyer on the new charges as well.
Huguely, 23, is charged in the May 3 death of Yeardley Love of Cockeysville, Md. Love, 22, was found dead in her apartment after suffering blunt-force trauma to the head. Huguely told police at the time that they had been involved in a relationship that had recently ended.
Huguely told police he kicked in Love's bedroom door, shook her and her head hit a wall several times. His attorney called Love's death an accident.
Last month, a judge rejected a request by Huguely's lawyers for broad access to Love's medical records, allowing only information about one prescription. The defense sought the records after a pathologist testified he believes Love suffered a lack of oxygen brought on by an irregular heartbeat.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
