george huguelyThe verdict is in: George Huguely has been convicted of second-degree murder in the beating death of his ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Yeardley Love. The murder charge carries a possible sentence of 5 to 40 years; Huguely was also convicted of grand larceny for stealing Love's computer (possible sentence of up to 20 years).

Hopefully the fact that Huguely was found guilty offers some measure of comfort to Love's famiy and friends, particularly her mother Sharon and sister Lexie, whose testimonies were beyond heartbreaking. But I wonder if they feel like justice has truly been served. A minimum of five years? For a man with a history of violence against the woman he finally killed?

I suppose if Yeardley Love was my sister or daughter, no amount of prison time would ever make me feel like justice had been served. There is no compensation for such a tremendous loss. But what kind of message does Huguely's sentence send? Murder your girlfriend in a "drunken rage" and go to prison for five years ... well, that doesn't sound so bad.

It's possible, even likely, that George Huguely will still be a relatively young man when he gets out of prison. He'll still have many years of life ahead, years of potential and experience and unlimited chances. Yeardley Love's life is over. George Huguely stole those years away from his girlfriend. Justice? I don't know if it's possible, really.

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What kind of sentence would you give George Huguely for the murder of Yeardsley Love?

 

Image via abcnews