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Jury selection wraps up in George Huguely murder trial

Posted at 2:05 PM, Feb 07, 2012
and last updated 2012-02-08 11:44:21-05

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WTVR) – Jury selection wrapped up Tuesday evening in the murder trial of former UVA student George Huguely.

CBS 6 News’ Tracy Sears said 28 potential jurors were selected.

The final two jurors were selected from a pool of 15 possible jurors that were called in after Judge Edward L. Hogshire called a brief recess at 3:30 p.m.

During the selection process, many jurors said they learned about the case through media coverage.

Additionally, some jurors said they felt media coverage of the case swayed their opinions. And a few jurors were dismissed because of a history involving domestic abuse or alcohol.

Sears was in court for the proceedings and provided updates on her Facebook page. [Click to like Tracy’s page for updates]

Sears reported prosecutor Dave Chapman said he was holding out hope opening arguments would begin on Tuesday.

Bruce Leshan, a reporter for WUSA9 in Washington, D.C., reported on his Twitter feedthat Huguely entered the courtroom at 9:03 a.m. wearing ankle weights on his feet.

Sears reported Huguely has made little eye contact with family members. Some of Yeardly Love’s family members and friends are wearing pink in court today in her honor.

Jury selection started Monday morning and lasted 11 hours.

Ninteteen of the 40 potential jurors made it through the first rounds of questioning. [Click to read more]

Tuesday eight more potential jurors need to be selected.

On Monday, questions asked by the defense team included whether or not a potential juror had used adderall, and they asked other potential jurors about concerns or reservations surrounding domestic violence or college drinking.

Potential jurors were also asked if seeing graphic or disturbing pictures of Yeardley Love would make them partial.

Huguely, 24, is charged with first degree murder in the death of Love, his ex-girlfriend and University of Virginia lacrosse player. [Read more about the case]

Defense attorneys asked the potential jurors if they would be bothered by a scenario where “intoxication is a defense to first degree murder.” This could be indicative that the defense may argue Huguely was drunk when he attacked Love.