Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Metro to delay track work during cherry blossom season
Track work on Metrorail lines will be suspended during cherry blossom season, officials said, to avoid major delays for the thousands of additional riders expected to celebrate the District's unofficial start to spring. Published February 27, 2012
Two volunteers recovering from Riverdale blaze
Two firefighters seriously injured during a house fire in Prince George's County are awake and recovering, family members speaking publicly Sunday for the first time said about the young volunteers overpowered by a blast of flames. Published February 26, 2012
Huguely guilty of second-degree murder
A jury Wednesday evening found former University of Virginia lacrosse player George W. Huguely V guilty of second-degree murder in the 2010 death of estranged girlfriend Yeardley Love and sentenced him to 26 years in prison. Published February 22, 2012
Jury deliberations begin in Huguely trial
Jury deliberations began Wednesday morning in the murder trial of former University of Virginia lacrosse player George W. Huguely V with the judge saying all of the proceedings could be concluded by the end of day. Published February 22, 2012
Fate of Huguely in jury’s hands
Jurors in the high-profile trial of former University of Virginia lacrosse player George W. Huguely V are to start deliberations Wednesday on whether to find the defendant guilty of first-degree murder or a lesser charge after two weeks of emotional testimony, graphic crime-scene pictures and challenging scientific evidence. Published February 21, 2012
Spring-blossom fever starting early in D.C.
The region's roller-coaster temperatures might be wreaking havoc with wardrobe choices, but they've done nothing to hurt or confuse the pink-and-white blooms of D.C.'s beloved cherry trees. Published February 20, 2012
Jury has options on charges against Huguely
The high-profile murder trial of former University of Virginia lacrosse player George W. Huguely V will go to a jury Wednesday, following a weekend of dramatic closing arguments. Published February 19, 2012
Huguely murder case goes to jury Wednesday
Prosecutors in their closing arguments on Saturday portrayed George W. Huguely V as a hulking male athlete kicking in a bedroom door and scaring a young woman half his size into cowering on her bed in a corner before he killed her. Published February 18, 2012
Huguely trial delayed again
The murder trial of George W. Huguely V was delayed for a second day because of an ill attorney, setting up a busy Saturday in which the defense is expected to conclude its case before closing arguments. Published February 17, 2012
Huguely trial postponed until Friday
The murder trial of George W. Huguely V is postponed until Friday because one of his defense attorneys is sick. Published February 16, 2012
Friend says he saw change in Huguely
George W. Huguely V lied to friends about his whereabouts the night Yeardley Love was killed and had a "blank stare" on his face after he returned to his apartment, a close friend testified Wednesday. Published February 15, 2012
Expert: Love likely alive for hours after confrontation
Yeardley Love could have been alive for hours after a violent confrontation with her former boyfriend, an expert prosecution witness in the murder case against former University of Virginia lacrosse player George W. Huguely V said Tuesday. Published February 14, 2012
Huguely jurors see photos of Love’s injuries
Prosecutors in the murder trial of George W. Huguely V presented crime-scene evidence and medical-examiner reports Monday, including gruesome and graphic descriptions of the victim's head and neck injuries, to build their case against the former University of Virginia lacrosse player. Published February 13, 2012
Witness: Huguely had ‘arm around her neck’
A University of North Carolina lacrosse player testified Thursday that he responded to a cry for help and saw George W. Huguely V choking his former girlfriend, Yeardley Love, three months before she was killed. Published February 9, 2012
Huguely defense asks jurors for lesser charges of manslaughter
Former University of Virginia lacrosse player George W. Huguely V "had no intent to kill" his onetime girlfriend, his defense attorney said Wednesday, urging jurors to consider manslaughter charges instead of murder in the first day of the high-profile trial. Published February 8, 2012
Former U.Va. lacrosse player pleads not guilty to murder
A University of Virginia lacrosse player and Washington scion accused of killing a classmate and onetime girlfriend pleaded not guilty Monday, beginning a much-anticipated trial in a case that captured the attention of the nation. Published February 6, 2012
Charlottesville braces for trial of former U.Va. lacrosse player
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing his one-time girlfriend two years ago in a case that drew national headlines and shocked the campus community. Published February 5, 2012
Police raid Occupy D.C. camp
Police in riot gear and cleanup crews in hazardous materials suits began enforcing no-camping laws in McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza over the weekend, resulting in intense — and often physical — confrontations with Occupy D.C. protesters who resisted their efforts. Published February 4, 2012
Occupy D.C. denied anti-eviction ruling
A federal judge on Thursday denied a request by members of the Occupy D.C. protest for an injunction that would prevent police from seizing their tents and evicting them from camps they have established in city parks. Published February 2, 2012
Warm January good omen for February
The shortest month of the year began nearly 30 degrees warmer than usual in the District, continuing a spell of balmy weather that kept temperatures well above - and snowfall well below - averages for January. Published February 1, 2012