[Updated at 11:18 p.m. ET] A jury late Wednesday recommended a prison sentence of 26 years for former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely, convicted of second-degree murder and grand larceny in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Yeardley Love, who also played lacrosse at Virginia.

The judge has the option of accepting that sentence or imposing a lesser one. The recommendation is 25 years on the murder count and one year for grand larceny.

The jury's verdicts were read earlier Wednesday. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 16.

Huguely, 24, was found not guilty on the most serious charge - first-degree murder - in the May 2010 death of Love, 22. He was acquitted on several other charges, including robbery and breaking and entering to commit larceny.

The sentencing range for a second-degree murder conviction is between five and 40 years.

A medical examiner ruled that blunt force trauma killed Love, and authorities alleged Huguely caused it during an altercation at Love's off-campus apartment, where a roommate found her dead days before graduation.

A defense attorney told jurors during closing arguments in Charlottesville, Virginia, that Huguely contributed to Love's death, but did not kill her and had no intent to do so.

[Initial post, 6:07 a.m.] Jury deliberations are expected to begin Wednesday in the trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of fatally beating his ex-girlfriend.

George Huguely contributed to his ex-girlfriend's death, but did not kill her and had no intent to do so, his attorney said during closing arguments Saturday.

"Yes, George contributed to her death. But no, he didn't kill her ... he left there with her alive, and that is not in dispute. There was no intentional killing, because she wasn't dead when he left," defense attorney Francis Lawrence said.