Virginia midfielder charged with killing player on women's team

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A senior on the Virginia men's lacrosse team was charged yesterday with the slaying of a fellow student on the women's team, stunning students at the picturesque campus.

George Huguely, 22, of Chevy Chase, Md., was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Yeardley Love, also a senior, of Cockeysville, Md., Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo said.

Longo said Love's roommate called police about 2:15 a.m. concerned that Love might have had an alcohol overdose, but police found her dead with obvious physical injuries.

"It was quickly apparent to them that this young lady was the victim of something far worse," Longo said.

The police chief said that Huguely and Love were in relationship at some point and that Huguely quickly became the focus. Longo would not detail the extent of Love's injuries, but said there did not appear to be any weapons used in the slaying.

A steady stream of students preparing for finals later in the week wandered down the street that runs by the house where Love's body was found. Drivers slowed down and pointed as they approached the building.

"Everybody's kind of taking a wait-and-see approach," said Drew Cook, a senior.

Cook said all he knew was what was included in an e-mail sent to the university community. He said suggestions from police that it could be a domestic incident and there were no other suspects didn't ease tensions.

Kyle Cecil, 22, said he was shocked to see police cars at the building Monday morning. He said Love's death was the talk of campus. He lived on the same hall as Huguely as a freshman and knew him well enough to say hello.

"It's sad that two people with a lot of potential, one their life is over and the other's life is significantly altered," Cecil said.

Huguely was being held in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

Huguely and Love were scheduled to graduate later this month. Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president of the university, said the campus was saddened over Love's death. He added the shock is magnified by the fact that the accused is "one of our own," he told reporters.

Both highly ranked teams are preparing for the national tournament later this month. Virginia's men's team was ranked No. 1 for most of the season and expects to host a first-round game in the tournament after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship last month. The women's team also was expected to get into the tournament.

Huguely, a midfielder, wasn't a starter but played in all 15 games this season. He had four goals and three assists. Love played defense and started in three games.