Defense attorneys in the murder case against former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely claimed on Wednesday that the cause of death was not proven conclusively by an autopsy, Virginia's WHSV-TV reported.
Huguely, 23, is accused of beating his lacrosse-playing ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love, to death on May 3.
Defense attorneys asked the judge in Charlottesville, Va., to allow them access to Love's medical records, arguing that her cause of death was not blunt-force trauma to the head.
At a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, medical examiner Dr. Bill Gormley testified that Love's injuries were unusual, but maintained that she died from blunt-force trauma to the head.
Gormley confirmed that Love had alcohol and the prescription drug Adderall in her system when she died. But he said the amounts were not large enough to contribute to her death.
Jack Daniel, a forensic expert called by the defense, told the court that he believed Love died from cardiac arrhythmia that could have been brought on by the Adderall.
Huguely faces a charge of first-degree murder and could face life in prison if convicted.
