UPDATE: Huguely's lawyers say Love's death was unintended

3 p.m.

George Huguley's lawyers told jurors in opening arguments today that Yeardley Love's death was unintended and accidental, and that the panel should consider whether the death was involuntary manslaughter rather than murder.

The prosecution tried to paint a picture of a violent boyfriend furious that Love had had sex with another man and compared Huguely unfavorably to him.

The prosecution quoted an email from Huguely to Love that read in part, "I should have killed you."

The defense portrayed the events that led to Love's death as a tragic accident.

The two University of Virginia lacrosse players had fought, including physical contact, but Huguely's actions ordinarily shouldn't have been enough to kill her, the defense argued in Charlottesville Circuit Court.

"George never, never, never had any intent to kill her," said defense attorney Francis McQ. Lawrence.

Jurors could seriously consider finding Huguely guilty of involuntary manslaughter, he said.

Commonwealth's attorney Dave Chapman argued that Huguely and Love had fought physically before and that the two had a very turbulent relationship.

Chapman said Huguely wanted to reconcile with Love.

Chapman spent much of his time detailing the injuries found on Love after she died, ranging from cuts on the inside of her mouth to damage to her brain.

The prosecution also described Huguely kicking through Love's locked bedroom door in order to enter the room.

Lawrence told the jury that the defense and prosecution would likely agree on many facts, but that the battle would like hinge on medical evidence about her death and interpretation of the circumstances surrounding her death.

Lawrence also read more of Huguely's email saying he should have killed Love. The fuller quote, he said, was: "I should have killed you. You should have killed me. You're so [profanity] up."

Huguely thought he had only hurt Love enough to give her a nosebleed,  Lawrence told the jury.

He said Huguely's surprise when police told him, "You've killed her, George. You've killed her," was evidence that he hadn't intended her death.

(This has been a breaking news update. Check back for more details as they become available. Read more in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.)