Murder trial of Virginia lacrosse player nears end

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing his ex-girlfriend lied about visiting friends hours before her battered body was found and had a "blank stare" on his face, a former teammate testified Wednesday as the prosecution rested and the defense began.

Ken Clausen, of Downingtown and a graduate of the Hill School, and other teammates of George Huguely testified at his first-degree murder trial in the May 3, 2010, slaying of Yeardley Love. Friends have testified that the female lacrosse player had a jealously fueled, on-and-off relationship with Huguely, 24.

Love, 22, was found in the bedroom of her Charlottesville apartment with bruises on her body and a battered right eye and neck. She died of blunt force trauma, an autopsy concluded. Huguely and Love's apartment buildings stood side-by-side.

The defense began its presentation with a medical expert who said he believed Love was asphyxiated from lying face down in a damp, bloody pillow. The testimony did not state how she came to be in that position.

While Huguely acknowledged in a police interrogation that he and Love's final encounter turned physical, he said he did not believe her injuries were serious.

Huguely has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and five other counts. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.