Charlottesville , Virginia ( CNN ) -- Jurors at the trial of a University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of fatally beating his ex-girlfriend were asked by a defense attorney Wednesday to consider only an involuntary manslaughter conviction . Attorney Francis Lawrence , in his opening statement , contended that would be appropriate because the death was an accident . George Huguely currently faces charges including first-degree murder in the death of Yeardley Love , who also was a lacrosse player for the university . University of Virginia law professor Darryl Brown told InSession that involuntary manslaughter in the state carries a maximum 10-year sentence . Huguely has been held for two years . But prosecutors , in their opening statement , said Huguely made an e-mail threat against Love , 22 , before her May 2010 death . Prosecutor Warner D. Chapman read e-mails exchanged between the two after Huguely learned Love had allegedly slept with someone else . The defendant wrote , `` I should have killed you '' and Love responded , `` You should have killed me ? '' according to Chapman . Huguely responded that the pair should talk , Chapman said . Chapman also told jurors Love 's death was slow and painful and that she could have remained alive for a couple of hours after Huguely left her apartment . The defense also claims Love was alive when Huguely left . Charlottesville Police Detective Lisa Reeves wrote in a sworn statement used to obtain a search warrant in the case that `` George Huguely admitted on May 3 , 2010 , that he was involved in an altercation with Yeardley Love and that during the course of the altercation he shook Love and her head repeatedly hit the wall . '' But defense attorney Lawrence said there was no evidence that Love 's head hit a wall . Lawrence said Huguely refused to believe Love was dead when questioned by police . Police were initially called to Love 's off-campus Charlottesville apartment by a roommate who reported `` a possible alcohol overdose , '' Police Chief Tim Longo said at the time . `` It was quickly apparent to them this young lady was the victim of something far worse , '' Longo said . A medical examiner ruled that blunt force trauma killed Love , and authorities allege Huguely caused it during the altercation . Love had `` a large bruise on the right side of her face which appears to have been caused by blunt force trauma , '' according to the police sworn statement . Huguely admitted he kicked open the door to Love 's bedroom after he found her apartment door unlocked , according to the detective 's affidavit . He also admitted he took her computer from her apartment , Reeves wrote . It was later found by police after Huguely told them where he disposed of it , she said . The trial is expected to last two weeks . InSession 's Lena Jakobsson contributed to this report .
Jurors hear differing accounts of Virginia student 's 2010 death . Prosecution contends defendant fatally injured Yeardley Love during a fight . Defense says he was intoxicated and acted in self-defense. The suspect and victim were members of UVA 's highly ranked lacrosse teams .