George Huguely, the former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of murdering his girlfriend, sent her an email days before her death saying, in part, "I should have killed you," prosecutors said in opening statements at his trial Wednesday.
The case involving two attractive athletes, a tempestuous relationship and a prestigious university has drawn international media attention, and Wednesday both prosecution and defense outlined their versions of what led to the death of Yeardley Love.
Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney Warner "Dave" Chapman told jurors that Huguely's message to Love was part of a string of angry messages between the pair.
Chapman said Huguely, 24, had kicked his way through Love's locked bedroom door in May 2010 and detailed her injuries, ranging from cuts on the inside of her mouth to damage to her brain, the Charlottesville Daily Progress reported.
Huguely's defense attorney, Francis McQ. Lawrence, said, "George never, never, never had any intent to kill her" and claimed Huguely thought he had only given Love, 22, a nosebleed.
"He's not complicated," Lawrence said according to ABC. "He's not complex. He's a lacrosse player."
Huguely faces six charges, including first-degree murder. According to a police affidavit, Huguely allegedly shook Love, slamming her head repeatedly against a wall.
Lawrence claimed Love's head never struck the wall and that her injury occurred after the couple fell off the bed together, The Washington Post reported.
He also said Huguely had gone to Love's apartment "to talk, to make up, to work things out."
Both sides also agreed Huguely left with Love's computer but differed as to his motive. Chapman suggested it was an attempt to eliminate evidence of his emails, while Lawrence said it was an attempt to make sure she would call him back in the morning.
Love's mother, Sharon, and sister, Lexie, both testified Wednesday afternoon, primarily about what they did with her personal effects, the Daily Progress reported.
One of Love's roommates also testified about Love's discovery that Huguely had been seeing another woman. Lawrence said Love had been unfaithful as well. "They were both involved," he said according to NBC29. "Both in drama."
Huguely and Love, both seniors, were members of UVA's men's and women's lacrosse teams respectively.
Huguely was first indicted in April 2011 on charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, robbery, burglary, statutory burglary and grand larceny.
