Huguely Family Can't Attend Trial and Testify at Sentencing

Judge denies family motion in Virginia lacrosse slaying case

A Charlottesville judge said a former University of Virginia lacrosse player's family can't testify at any sentencing proceedings if they're in the courtroom for his trial on murder charges.

Lawyers for George Huguely had sought to lift a ban on such testimony. If Huguely is convicted, his lawyers argued that the trial and sentencing would be separate proceedings.

They also contended that looser standards of evidence applied to the sentencing phase on non-jury trials should be extended to jury trials.

Media outlets report that Circuit Court Judge Edward Hogshire rejected the defense's motion Thursday.

Huguely, of Chevy Chase, Md., is charged with killing UVA women's lacrosse player Yeardley Love, of Cockeysville, Md., in May 2010.

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