UPDATE: 5:38 P.M
A neuropathologist testifying for the defense in the murder trial of George W. Huguely V said today that Yeardley Love died from asphyxiation from trying to breathe through bloody pillow cases and sheets while face down on her bed.
Dr. Jan Edward Leestma said Love's injuries, described Tuesday by the prosecutor, were caused by efforts to resuscitate her after she died.
Prosecutors had said Love died from deep brain hemorrhages caused by blunt force trauma to the head.
(This has been a breaking news update.)
The prosecution has rested in the trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of first-degree murder in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend.
Prosecutor Dave Chapman called about 50 witnesses over one week in the trial of George Huguely V before concluding his presentation to jurors Wednesday in Charlottesville Circuit Court.
The 24-year-old defendant is on trial accused in the May 2010 death of Yeardley Love, who was found in her Charlottesville apartment bruised and bloodied.
The prosecution portrayed Huguely as a heavy drinking, jealous ex-boyfriend who broke into Love's bedroom and violently assaulted her by banging her head against a wall. She died of blunt force trauma.
Attorneys for the Chevy Chase, Md., man have said Huguely is innocent and described Love's death as an accident.
Chapman ended his witnesses with a police detective who simply introduced a picture of Love. He was preceded on the witnesses stand this morning by a series of Huguely's friends and teammates.
The witnesses described events of Sunday May 2, following the University of Virginia men's lacrosse team's final home game that Saturday.
The witnesses described Huguely as being intoxicated from the early morning hours of that Sunday. They said he was drinking throughout the day, until just before he disappeared close to midnight and allegedly went to Love's apartment a block away.
Richmond Times-Dispatch staff writer Bill McKelway contributed to this report.
(This has been a breaking news update. Check back for more details as they become available. Read more in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.)
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