A neuropathologist, blood stain pattern and fingerprint analysts, a toxologist and trace evidence and DNA experts all testified today at Huguely’s trial, as well as the coroner who returned to the stand for the second day. Here are just a few: 
WaPo story here.
Here are sketches of the witnesses – except one very brief – who testified at George Huguely’s murder trial today:
WaPo story here.
Detective Lisa Reeves took the witness stand Friday and told the jury how she had brought Huguely from his apartment to the police station for questioning as a potential witness. Noticing that Huguely’s knuckles were severely bruised and that he had a fresh cut on his arm she came to have a “reasonable suspicion that he may have committed this crime”. 
The interview was videotaped, and the taped played in court. Huguely, sounding still a bit inebriated, admits to drinking all day long the previous day and going over to Yeardley Love’s apartment around 12:45 p.m. “to talk” after an incident the week before when Yeardley went to his apartment and hit him with her purse, accusing him of texting other girls. On the videotape Huguely describes what happened at Yeardley’s apartment over and over for about thirty minutes telling the detective that Yeardley was “freaking out” and “got really aggressive”. He admits shaking her and throwing her on the bed before leaving the apartment.
Finally Detective Reeves says “I have to tell you something. She’s dead. You killed her.” After a long silence Hugulely says “she’s dead . . . HOW?” The detective responds “I think you know” Huguely then becomes very upset saying “she’s dead? how the fuck is she dead? She’s dead?…she’s dead?…she’s dead?? I don’t believe it…I didn’t hurt her…I don’t believe she’s dead…I want to see her!” 
In the courtroom Huguley began to weep, wiping away tears. It was the first time during the trial that he has shown any emotion.
In the afternoon Detective Michael Flaherty was called to testify and introduce into evidence photos and items taken from the crime scene including the apartment door that Huguely broke through. 
As the detective described photos of the body laying on the floor Yeardley’s sister Lexie wept as her fiancee tried to comfort her.
Many others in the courtroom were overcome with emotion as well.
WaPo story here.
Another day of dramatic testimony at the Huguely trial. Here are a few of today’s sketches:
George Huguely taking notes during testimony.
The first EMT to take the witness stand.
Dr. Brady, who reviewed the EMT’s work.
The Honorable Edward L. Hogshire.
Witness demonstrating chokehold on the Commonwealth’s attorney.
You can read about it here.
The jury today heard opening statements from the Commonwealth and the defense followed by testimony from the first witnesses. 
In his opening prosecutor Dave Chapman told the jurors about an email Huguely sent to Yeardley Love that read in part, “I should have killed you.”
But defense attorney Francis McQ. Lawrence said Huguely only wanted “to talk, to make up, to work things out.”
Eight witnesses testified today, including Yeardley’s mother and sister, but the most lengthy testimony came from Yeardley’s roomate, Caitlin Whitely.
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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