George Huguely V was yesterday sentenced to 23 years for the murder of his girlfriend Yeardley Love. Judge Hogshire reduced the jury’s recommendation of 26 years.
Huguely stood up and spoke briefly addressing the Love family, “I hope and pray that you may find peace.”
Posted below are all the sketches, rough and finished, produced during the hearing.
WaPo story here.
A Charlottesville jury last night found George Huguely guilty of second-degree murder and one count of grand larceny. After hearing testimony from Yeardley Love’s mother and sister, and arguments from lawyers the jury recommended a prison term of 26 years on the murder charge and one year for the larceny. 
WaPo story here.
The final day of trial was pretty much a disaster for George Huguely. While his lawyer, Rhonda Quagliana, who had been ill and MIA for the past two days had returned to court, she still looked a little green. 
It didn’t help that the prosecution had discovered that this same lawyer had improperly briefed her witnesses on the testimony of the Commonwealth’s witness. 
My guess is that the plan was for the defense’s closing to be delivered by Quagliana, but because she was still on the verge of nausea her partner, Francis McQ. Lawrence had to step in and wing it. 
His arguing long and rambling, while prosecutor Chapman’s was powerful and emotional. 
The jury will begin deliberations on Wednesday.
One of George Huguely’s lawyer was absent for the second day due to “projectile vomit illness”. No testimony was heard yesterday, and today Huguely objected to moving forward without both of his attorneys present. 
His other attorney, Francis McQ. Lawrence, said to the judge, “Mr. Huguely told me, ‘I don’t feel comfortable. I don’t feel protected'”. But Judge Hogshire told the defense to move foward, and several non-expert witnesses were called.
The judge seems determined to finish with testimony in the case on Saturday, and if possible have closing arguments and jury instructions as well.
It could well go late into the night.
WaPo story here.
After calling several friends of Huguely and Love to the stand and introducing as evidence the bodybag tag and a photo of Yeardley Love’s bruised and battered face the commonwealth rested. 
The defense led off with a couple of experts that testified about Yeardley’s blood alcohol level and the injury to her brain. 
George Huguely has paid close attention, but shown little emotion this week. 
Wapo story here.
Courtroom sketching is a form of visual journalism or reportage drawing that is slowly dying out. Where once upon a time news organization each had their own artist covering a story, today a “pool” artist often sketches for all. It is a demanding and stressful discipline where the drawing is often done directly and under tight deadline.
After forty-five years of news sketching in courtrooms and congress I’m calling it quits. It’s been sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, almost always interesting. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great people. Don’t think I’ll miss it, but a little scared of not having a deadline.
While I won’t be sketching in court anymore, I may continue to post to this blog from time to time. Not sure what that might be. I’m about to start a new assignment documenting infrastructure and construction. Could be interesting.
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