CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Charlottesville judge says a former University of Virginia lacrosse player’s family can’t testify at any sentencing proceedings if they’re in the courtroom for his trial on murder charges.

Lawyers for George Huguely had sought to lift a ban on such testimony. If Huguely is convicted, his lawyers argued that the trial and sentencing would be separate proceedings.

They also contended that looser standards of evidence applied to the sentencing phase on non-jury trials should be extended to jury trials.

Media outlets report that Circuit Court Judge Edward Hogshire rejected the defense’s motion Thursday.

Huguely, of Chevy Chase, Md., is charged with killing U.Va. women’s lacrosse player Yeardley Love of Cockeysville, Md., in May 2010.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)