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Yeardly Love’s mother sues state and UVA

Posted at 11:32 PM, May 03, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-04 00:08:44-04

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR)--Sharon Love files suit against UVA lacrosse head and assistant coach.

In a 15 page document, Love claims the state, UVA lacrosse Head Coach, Dom Starsia, Assistant Coach Marc Van Arsdale and UVA athletic director, Craig Littlepage, did very little to help control George Huguely’s outlandish behavior.

Sharon Love claims his erratic behavior ultimately contributed to her daughter’s death.

“What should the university have done?” says CBS 6 legal analyst, Todd Stone.

Stone says first, Love will have to prove that university officials knew of Huguely’s past offenses, such as alcohol, obscenity and resisting arrest convictions listed in the complaint file.

“Should they have kicked him out of school, should they have put him in some sort of an alcohol treatment course...should they have given him anger management? Those are questions that are going to be considered,” says Stone.

From there, Stone says Love will have to show the school’s alleged lack of discipline against Huguely was a direct cause of her daughter’s death.

“You know, that's a lot to prove. It's a tough case against the coaches and the athletic directors,” says Stone.

Stone goes on to say the ultimate challenge Love’s mother will have to prove is that her daughter took action to protect herself first.

Evidence there, may be limited says Stone because Love couldn’t apply for a protective order since she and Huguely were only dating.

Love’s case prompted state lawmakers like Delegate Jennifer McClellan to work on making protective orders more accessible and stiffer punishment for violators.

“Even sometimes when you get a protective order. That may sometimes not be enough.” , says Del. McClellan. “

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s spokesperson tells CBS 6, the state acknowledges Love’s death, but says no one employed by the state or UVA is responsible for her death.