UVA President Teresa Sullivan broke her administration’s silence after George Huguely IV was found guilt of second degree murder and grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Huguely, a 24-year-old former UVA lacrosse player, was charged with first degree murder, felony murder, robbery, burglary, statutory burglary and grand larceny, in the May 3, 2010 death of fellow UVA student and lacrosse player, Yeardley Love. Love was 22 years old when she died. The charges carried the possibility of a life sentence without parole.
Sullivan’s statement:
"Prior to the trial of George Huguely, I said the University would withhold any comments until the trial had concluded. The jury now has rendered its verdict and a young man – a former member of our community – has been found guilty for the death of fellow student Yeardley Love.
As Professor Anne Coughlin reminded us on Feb. 2, the conclusion of a trial like this may bring a momentary sense of justice or retribution, but our judicial system can never restore to a family what it has lost. Yeardley’s family, teammates, sorority sisters and friends – indeed all of us at the University – continue to feel the loss of this promising young woman. It remains now to each of us to commit to caring for one another and, when we see someone in trouble, to having the courage to intercede and offer assistance.
Our sympathy and compassion go to the Love family, as well as to the Huguely family, as they face the future and their personal grief."
