Hannah Graham, 18, went missing on September 13, 2014, Jesse Matthew has been charged with her murder - Trial date set for July 5, 2016 - Charlottesville, VA

Jesse Matthew Attorneys Request Gag Order in Fairfax Case
Friday, Dec 12, 2014 • Updated at 9:23 PM EST


The defense for the man accused of abducting University of Virginia student Hannah Graham is asking the court to enact a gag order in a Fairfax attempted murder case.

Attorneys for Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. want the court to enact the gag order in response to the prosecution speaking to reporters following each hearing in the Fairfax case. The filing notes how prosecutors called the victim "a saint" following the last hearing. It also referrs to media reports about the specific timing of Matthew's transportation between Fairfax and Charlottesville.

The defense also requested $2,000 to hire their own DNA expert, citing DNA as the only link between Matthew and the assault. The filing says the defense was not provided a copy of the certificate of analysis by the commonwealth but instead got it from the Washington Post.


Read more:  http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Jesse-Matthew-Attorneys-Request-Gag-Order-285660681.html

Charlottesville abduction suspect Jesse L. Matthew Jr. attended Christopher Newport University
December 20, 2014  4:29 PM

NEWPORT NEWS — Jesse L. Matthew Jr., who was charged with abduction with intent to defile in the September disappearance of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham and a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax County, had a local tie.

Matthew attended Christopher Newport University and was briefly a member of the Captains football team. He was accused of sexual assault while he was there, but no charges were filed in that case.

Matthew attended CNU from January 2003 to Oct. 15, 2003, university spokeswoman Lori Jacobs said. He was a member of the football team, a defensive lineman, for less than a month, from Aug. 14 to Sept. 12, 2003.

Read more:  http://www.dailypress.com/news/education/dp-nws-top10-number10-20141220-story.html

CuriousPortlander wrote:
Charlottesville abduction suspect Jesse L. Matthew Jr. attended Christopher Newport University
December 20, 2014  4:29 PM

NEWPORT NEWS — Jesse L. Matthew Jr., who was charged with abduction with intent to defile in the September disappearance of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham and a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax County, had a local tie.

Matthew attended Christopher Newport University and was briefly a member of the Captains football team. He was accused of sexual assault while he was there, but no charges were filed in that case.

Matthew attended CNU from January 2003 to Oct. 15, 2003, university spokeswoman Lori Jacobs said. He was a member of the football team, a defensive lineman, for less than a month, from Aug. 14 to Sept. 12, 2003.

Read more:  http://www.dailypress.com/news/education/dp-nws-top10-number10-20141220-story.html

Wow. He was already a deer in the headlights.... I really did not see it when he was first brought in for questioning. However, finding Hannah's body on the relatives' property.... that said it.

Gag Order Denied in Jesse Matthew Case

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 • Updated at 5:16 PM EST

A judge denied a gag order in the Fairfax County attempted murder case of Jesse Matthew, the Charlottesville man also accused of abducting University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, but he approved the defense request for funds for its own DNA expert.

The Fairfax County case, which is expected to go to trial March 9, is related to a 2005 sexual assault. Matthew also has been charged in Charlottesville with abducting Graham but has not yet been charged in her death.

Defense attorneys, concerned about pretrial publicity, requested the gag order. Prosecutors said they want freedom to discuss procedural issues and are careful not say anything prejudicial.

"We oppose the gag order because I think it is important for the public to have access to information about how the process works,” prosecutor Ray Morrogh said. “I think it promotes confidence in the courts. I'm actually proud of our court system."

Read more:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Matthew-Back-in-Court-in-Fairfax-as-Defense-Seeks-Gag-Order-288025141.html

Lawyer: Murder charges likely on the way for Jesse Matthew (Video)

Debra Alfarone, WUSA 6:14 p.m. EST January 8, 2015

FAIRFAX, Va. (WUSA9) -- Jesse Matthew's public defender in Fairfax said Thursday that murder or capital murder charges may be coming soon in Albemarle County for her client.

She said this during a hearing to determine whether or not to allow news cameras in the courtroom when Matthew is tried for an alleged 2005 sex assault that took place in Fairfax County.

The judge ruled cameras will not be allowed for that trial.

Read more:

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/2015/01/08/no-cameras-allowed-during-jesse-matthew-fairfax-trial/21453919/

Hannah Graham slaying suspect cleared in 2013 case
By Melissa Gray, CNN  Updated 6:15 PM ET, Fri January 23, 2015

(Cross-posting on Hannah Graham and Alexis Murphy threads)


(CNN)Virginia authorities on Friday said they have found no link between Jesse Matthew, suspected of killing college student Hannah Graham, and the abduction and slaying of a teenage girl in 2013.

Matthew's arrest in October in the Graham case prompted authorities to investigate his possible links to a string of unsolved killings and disappearances in the area. One of those cases involved 17-year-old Alexis Murphy of Lovingston, Virginia, who disappeared in 2013 and whose body has not been found.

Another man, Randy Taylor, was convicted of Murphy's abduction and murder, but after Matthew's arrest, Taylor's attorney asked that evidence in the case be re-examined to check for any links to Matthew.

Friday, the top prosecutor in Nelson County, which includes Lovingston, said fresh DNA testing conducted by the FBI after the attorney's request excluded Matthew from evidence collected in the Murphy case.

Read more:  http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/23/us/virginia-jesse-matthew-2013-case/

CBS/AP / February 10, 2015, 6:53 AM

Big development in Hannah Graham case

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- New information is coming in the case of the man linked to two Virginia college students who disappeared and were later found dead.

The police chief and the prosecutor in Albemarle County scheduled a late-morning news conference Tuesday to provide an update in the investigation of Jesse Matthew Jr.

Officials said in their announcement that they would not answer questions before the briefing, but sources told CBS affiliate WTVR in Charlottesville that they would announce a first-degree murder charge against Matthew in the death of 18-year-old Hannah Graham.

Read more:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hannah-graham-jesse-matthew-jr-facing-murder-charge-uva-abduction/

Jesse Matthew expected to face new charges

The Washington Post
4 hours ago

Law enforcement officials in Albemarle County, Va., are expected to announce Tuesday morning that a Charlottesville man who has been charged with abducting University of Virginia student Hannah Graham will now face charges related to her death, according to media reports and a person knowledgeable about the investigation.

The Albemarle County Police Department and the county’s commonwealth’s attorney are scheduled to have a news conference at 11 a.m. regarding the case against Jesse L. Matthew, Jr., 33, who had previously been charged with abducting Graham in mid-September after the two encountered each other in downtown Charlottesville.

Read more:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/jesse-matthew-expected-to-face-new-charges/ar-AA9byuC

_______________________

Hannah Graham suspect Jesse Matthew Jr. charged with first-degree murder

By Brittny Mejia
February 10, 2015, 9:12 AM

Jesse Matthew Jr., the man linked to the deaths of two Virginia college students, has been indicted on a murder charge in the death of Hannah Graham..

Matthew has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with last year's disappearance and death of University of Virginia student Graham, the Albemarle County, Va., prosecutor said at a press conference Tuesday morning. Matthew had previously been charged with abduction with an intent to defile.

"The prosecution for the abduction and murder of Hannah will bring Mr. Matthew to justice for these crimes," prosecutor Denise Lunsford said. "These indictments signal the beginning of the next phase in what has been an incredibly difficult process."

Lunsford pointed out that Matthew had not been charged with capital murder. While she wouldn't go into specifics about the decision, she said a "great deal of serious thought went into this determination, including the impact on the community, the Grahams and the need to provide Mr. Matthew with a fair trial."

Read more:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-suspect-in-hannah-graham-charged-murder-20150210-story.html

Murder Charges Filed:
Hannah Graham
Morgan Harrington
Sexual assault victim

"....Virginia prosecutors reportedly have filed charges of first-degree murder against Jesse Matthew in connection with the death of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham this past September.

The charges were reported by WVIR-TV in Charlottesville. The police chief and the prosecutor in Albemarle County have scheduled a late-morning news conference Tuesday to provide an update in the investigation of 33-year-old Matthew. They said in their announcement that they will not answer questions before the briefing.

Matthew is charged with abduction with intent to defile in the case of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. The 18-year-old Graham disappeared in September and was found dead in Albemarle County a few weeks later.

Police have said forensic evidence also links Matthew to the 2009 disappearance and death of 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, whose body also was found in the county. ...."

"....Matthew has also been charged in connection with a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax, Va. and has been forensically linked to the death of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, whose body was found in 2010, a short distance from where Graham's remains turned up. ...."

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/02/10/murder-charges-reportedly-filed-against-jesse-matthew-in-hannah-graham-case/

Matthew’s defense seeks delay in trial

11:54 a.m. EST March 3, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE –  Attorneys for the man charged with abducting and killing a University of Virginia student are asking a judge to delay his trial.

Media outlets report that Jesse Matthew Jr.’s lawyers filed a motion for a continuance Monday. They also asked the state to provide a DNA expert.

Albemarle County Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins is expected to consider the requests at a hearing Wednesday.

Read:

http://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2015/03/03/matthews-defense-seeks-delay-trial/24315131/

Judge Grants Permission for DNA Expert in Jesse Matthew Trial

By: Colleen Quigley
Updated: Wed 6:19 PM, Mar 04, 2015



CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (NEWSPLEX) -- Jesse Matthew, Jr. made his first in-person appearance in an Albemarle County Court Wednesday for a pre-trial motions hearing. The judge granted a motion delaying the start of his murder trial for the death of Hannah Graham.

Matthew was set to stand trial at the end of June, but a judge granted a motion to delay those proceedings to give the defense more time to hire a DNA expert.

"The judge granted the motion for the DNA expert to be identified at at later time, and granted to motion for a continuance setting it to be certain on May the fifth to determine a new trial date," said Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford.

In court, Lunsford said the case against Matthew relies "in some way on DNA evidence." She said she did not object to the defense's motion.

Read more:

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Jesse-Matthew-Jr-Will-Appear-In-Albemarle-County-Circuit-Court-Today-294971791.html

Trial delayed for suspect in U.Va. student's death

Peggy Fox, WUSA-TV, Washington 6:42 p.m. EST March 4, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The parents of a slain University of Virginia student watched in the courtroom Wednesday as a judge agreed to delay the trial of the man accused of killing their daughter.

Lawyers for Jesse Matthew Jr., who faces murder charges in the September 2014 disappearance and death of Hannah Graham, 18, asked the judge for the state to provide a DNA expert and a change in the June 29 trial date. Albemarle County Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins granted both motions.

Wednesday was Matthew's first in-person appearance since an Albemarle County grand jury indicted him on charges of abduction with intent to defile and first-degree murder. Matthew, who attended a previous hearing by video link from jail, faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Read more:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/04/jesse-matthew-hannah-graham/24397757/

Fairfax judge grants media’s request to unseal Jesse Matthew’s court documents (Video)

Posted 5:29 pm, March 6, 2015, by Alix Brya, Updated at 07:11pm, March 6, 2015

FAIRFAX, Va. — Soon, the public will know more about what happened the night police say Jesse Matthew Jr. brutally attacked and tried to kill a Fairfax woman, in 2005. Matthew is the same man facing first-degree charges in the murder of UVa. second-year student, Hannah Graham, in Sept. 2014.

Both of his cases have drawn extensive pretrial publicity. A group of media outlets pushed for a Fairfax county judge to make those court records public.

Matthew’s defense previously expressed concerns that releasing too much information to television stations and newspapers would interfere with his getting a fair trial. The media outlets, including the Associated Press, defended their request and said that sealing the court file violates constitutional guarantees of a public trial.

Read more:

http://wtvr.com/2015/03/06/fairfax-judge-grants-medias-request-to-unseal-jesse-matthews-court-documents/

Judge Partially Unseals Records in Hannah Graham Murder Case

By Matthew Barakat

Published at 10:24 PM EST on Mar 6, 2015

A judge on Friday partially unsealed the court file in a case involving a Charlottesville man charged with killing a University of Virginia student.

Jesse Matthew, 33, is charged in Fairfax City with attempted murder and sexual assault of a woman in 2005. He is charged in Albemarle County with the abduction and murder of student Hannah Graham.

Both cases have drawn extensive pretrial publicity. In Fairfax, the judge had ordered the entire court file to be sealed in response to defense lawyers' concerns about Matthew's ability to get a fair trial.

A coalition of media companies, including The Associated Press, argued Friday that sealing the file violates constitutional guarantees of a public trial.

Read more:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Judge-Partially-Unseals-Records-in-Hannah-Graham-Murder-Case-295440191.html

A proposed bill requires that schools make not of conduct violations on the transcripts of students at Virginia colleges.
Brian Farrell, 13News Now 9:30 p.m. EDT March 24, 2015

"...In 2003, Matthew briefly attended Christopher Newport University where he was accused of sexual assault. The student involved chose not to move forward with prosecution.

The proposed legislation, which passed the General Assembly, would require colleges to make a "prominent notation" on a student's transcript when he/she has been suspended or dismissed, or withdraws from the school while being investigated for violating the school's code of conduct.

"Listen, what I've said is if there's an incident with a student at school, then there should be a notation on that transcript, such that an ensuing school will know what this student had been involved in," McAuliffe told 13News Now. "If that had been noted on Jesse Matthew's, it could have changed a lot of different things.

McAuliffe put together a bill that dealt with sex crimes. The one passed by the General Assembly expanded it by broadening the language to cover many other violations...."

Test and short vid:
http://www.13newsnow.com/story/news/local/virginia/2015/03/24/bill-requires-colleges-note-conduct-violations-on-transcripts/70398242/

City drops charges against Matthew; case to be handled in county

Posted: Thursday, March 26, 2015 7:05 pm
Daily Progress Staff Reports

Charlottesville prosecutors have dropped their charges against the man accused of abducting University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, opting to let him stand trial in Albemarle County instead.
 
Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. appeared in Charlottesville General District Court Thursday via video conference, saying no more than two words when his defense attorney, Jim Camblos, and Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Dave Chapman agreed that the city would not move forward with its charge against Matthew of abduction with the intent to defile.

The city is not prosecuting Matthew because he is already charged with the abduction and first degree murder of Graham in Albemarle County, after the 18-year-old’s body was found on a county property last October.

“As far as I’m concerned, you’re finished with this court,” Judge Robert Downer told Matthew, who indicated that he understood.

Read more:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city-drops-charges-against-matthew-case-to-be-handled-in/article_8fd929f6-d40c-11e4-8f47-0fc40712b267.html

Defense Requests DNA Experts in Jesse Matthew Case (Video)

Posted: Apr 09, 2015 3:32 PM CDT
Updated: Apr 09, 2015 3:49 PM CDT

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va (WVIR) - New court documents are shedding light on the murder case against Jesse Matthew.

Three DNA experts have agreed to review evidence in the case against Matthew. Two experts are from State College, Pennsylvania, the other is from Richmond.

A judge approved the defense's request for the trio of experts, along with $5,400 for compensation.

The experts will review two pieces of evidence from the Virginia Department of Forensic Science along with other documents. Any details on that evidence are currently under court seal.

Matthew is charged with first-degree murder for killing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham in September of 2014.

Read more:

http://www.nbc29.com/story/28764756/defense-requests-dna-experts-in-jesse-matthew-case

Judge to Set Date for Jesse Matthew's Trial

Posted: Mon 5:44 PM, May 04, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (NEWSPLEX) -- An Albemarle County Circuit Court judge should be setting a date for the murder trial of Jesse Matthew, Jr. Tuesday.

~Snipped~

Matthew, his attorney and the prosecutor are expected in court Tuesday morning to set the date.

He will also be standing trial in Fairfax County June 8 on charges of attempted capital murder, abduction and sexual assault.

Read more:

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Judge-to-Set-Date-for-Jesse-Matthews-Trial-302481951.html

US  |  Tue May 5, 2015 8:32pm EDT
Related:  U.S.
 
Man accused of killing UVA student could now face death penalty

RICHMOND, VA.

(Reuters) - A former hospital worker already charged with abducting and killing an 18-year-old University of Virginia student was hit with additional charges on Tuesday that make him eligible for the death penalty.

Albemarle County prosecutors said a capital murder charge was filed against 33-year-old Jesse Matthew based on additional forensic evidence recovered in the murder of Heather Graham, who disappeared from the campus in Charlottesville last September.

Matthew was ordered back to court on June 25, when a judge was expected to set a trial date. Prosecutors previously said the trial could last up to three weeks and that they planned to call some 50 witnesses.

Read more:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/06/us-usa-virginia-student-idUSKBN0NR01F20150506

Judge denies Jesse Matthew motion to delay Fairfax trial

Posted 10:00 am, May 15, 2015, by Jake Burns, Laura French and Scott Wise,  Updated at 10:12am, May 15, 2015

Read more:

http://wtvr.com/2015/05/15/jesse-matthew-motion-denied/

This seems like it will be an interesting trial. Do any of you know if it will be televised so that we can watch it?

Pretrial hearing scheduled for Jesse Matthew in Fairfax case

Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 10:03 pm

By Dean Seal

A judge this week will hear a motion from the defense of Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr., the man charged with capital murder in the death of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, to suppress evidence in a separate case.

Matthew, 33, of Albemarle County, is facing charges of sexual assault and attempted murder in a 2005 Fairfax attack and is scheduled to stand trial next month.

Matthew’s attorneys filed a motion Monday, asking to throw out pretrial identification, as well as any in-court identification, of Matthew by the victim in the Fairfax case. The defense argues that the victim likely is aware of Matthew’s high-profile arrest in the Graham case last year, which might deem any identification of her alleged attacker “unreliable” and “in violation of Matthew’s due process rights.”

Read more:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/crime/pretrial-hearing-scheduled-for-jesse-matthew-in-fairfax-case/article_50bb54dc-ff1e-11e4-9c86-8b8469bfb36c.html

Woman attacked in 2005 rape case linked to Hannah Graham's murder will testify at Jesse Matthew's pre-trial hearing
By Associated Press  Published: 17:20 EST, 22 May 2015 | Updated: 17:35 EST, 22 May 2015

A woman who was raped in a 2005 in a case that authorities have linked to the death of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham through DNA will testify at a pretrial hearing next month.

The woman, who now lives in India, will be traveling back to Virginia before trial to determine whether she can identify 33-year-old suspect Jesse Matthew of Charlottesville, Virginia, as her attacker.

...Defense lawyers, though, question whether she can identify Matthew as her attacker.

At a hearing Friday in Fairfax, a judge scheduled a June 4 hearing with the victim to determine whether she can reliably identify Matthew as her assailant.

Prosecutors say they also have DNA evidence linking Matthew to the crime.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3093528/Woman-attacked-2005-rape-case-linked-Hannah-Graham-s-murder-testify-Jesse-Matthew-s-pre-trial-hearing.html

Mylife101 wrote:This seems like it will be an interesting trial.  Do any of you know if it will be televised so that we can watch it?  

It won't be...


UPDATE: No Cameras in Court for Jesse Matthew Fairfax Case
Posted: Jan 08, 2015 6:47 AM PDT
Updated: Jan 08, 2015 10:33 PM

Judge David Schell denied a request to have cameras in the courtroom throughout the trial, basing his decision on the sexual nature of the case. Media organizations had asked to place a still camera and video camera in the courtroom for the trial and for pretrial hearings. Prosecutors and defense lawyers both had opposed the media's request.

Source:  http://www.nbc29.com/story/27791511/update-judge-rules-no-cameras-in-court-for-jesse-matthew-fairfax-case

Attorneys try to suppress courtroom identification in Jesse Matthew case



May 22, 2015 7:35 PM EDT - Jesse L. Matthew Jr., the man accused of killing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham last year, is slated to stand trial in a separate 2005 Fairfax County sexual assault case beginning June 8. (WUSA9)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/local/attorneys-try-to-suppress-courtroom-identification-in-jesse-matthew-case/2015/05/22/c6bce1b4-00db-11e5-8c77-bf274685e1df_video.html

Judge continues hearing in Jesse Matthew case

By Justin Jouvenal May 22

A judge will decide shortly before a high-profile trial whether the victim in a 2005 Fairfax County sexual assault will have the opportunity to attempt to identify her attacker in open court.

Circuit Court Judge David S. Schell on Friday continued a motion by attorneys for Jesse L. Matthew Jr. to suppress the identification during the trial, which is slated to begin June 8. Schell said he will now tentatively take up the issue June 4.

Read more:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/judge-continues-hearing-in-jesse-matthew-case/2015/05/22/ede51136-00b7-11e5-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html

Victim in 2005 Jesse Matthew case linked to Hannah Graham to take stand

By The Associated Press, Jeannette Reyes  June 4, 2015 - 06:15 am
Updated: June 4, 2015 - 07:31 am



FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - The victim in a 2005 sexual assault that authorities have linked to the death of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham is expected to take the witness stand at a pretrial hearing.

The victim is flying from India to testify at the trial next week of Jesse Matthew. Police have charged the 33-year-old Charlottesville man with attempted capital murder and sexual assault in the 2005 Fairfax County case, in addition to separate charges of abducting and killing Graham. Authorities say DNA evidence links the cases.

Thursday's hearing is to determine whether the victim can reliably identify Matthew as her attacker. Matthew's lawyers are skeptical that she can, and believe her recollection of the decade-old attack might be corrupted by pretrial publicity that has frequently shown Matthew's mugshot.

Read more:

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/06/victim-in-2005-jesse-matthew-case-linked-to-hannah-graham-to-take-stand-114494.html#ixzz3c5yHz9TB

2nd victim IDs accused Hannah Graham killer in court

Mola Lenghi, WUSA-TV, Washington  8:33 p.m. EDT June 4, 2015

FAIRFAX, Va. — A woman whom prosecutors say was a victim of the same man accused of killing a University of Virginia student last year identified him in court Thursday as her attacker in a 2005 sexual assault.

Jesse Matthew Jr., 33, of Charlottesville, Va., is charged in Fairfax County Circuit Court with abducting, raping and attempting to murder the woman who testified at Thursday's pretrial hearing. A jury trial in the case is expected to begin Monday.

~Snipped~

He faces a separate trial in Albemarle County in connection with the Graham killing, which prompted a weeks-long, community-wide search for the co-ed.

Matthew's lawyer tried to keep the Fairfax victim from identifying Matthew, filing a motion to suppress the testimony because the she may have been influenced seeing photos of Matthew in the news and online. Judge David Schell decided to deny that motion.

Read more:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/04/jesse-matthew-fairfax-trial/28505897/

Judge denies request to delay Jesse Matthew attempted murder trial
Posted 12:53 pm, June 4, 2015, by Jasmine Norwood and Laura French, Updated at 07:32pm, June 4, 2015

FAIRFAX, Va. —  A judge has denied a request by the lawyers representing Jesse Matthew for a continuance for next week’s trial. In addition, the judge ruled not to bar the media from today’s hearing.

See video:  http://wtvr.com/2015/06/04/jesse-matthews-trial-media-banned-from-courtroom-hearing/

US  |  Mon Jun 8, 2015 2:05pm EDT  

Jury chosen in rape trial of suspect in Virginia student's murder

FAIRFAX, Va.  |  By Lacey Johnson


A jury was chosen on Monday for the rape trial of a Virginia man also charged with the high-profile murder of college student Hannah Graham.

Jesse Matthew Jr., 33, of Charlottesville, is charged with attacking a woman in Fairfax, a Washington suburb, in 2005.

A jury of seven men and seven women, including two alternates, was chosen in Fairfax County Circuit Court after nearly three hours of selection. Opening arguments could take place later on Monday.

Matthew, a former hospital worker, appeared wearing a dreadlocked ponytail, beige dress shirt and slacks. He is accused of grabbing a 26-year-old woman walking home from a grocery store, dragging her into nearby woods and sexually assaulting her.

When asked by Judge David Schell if he was prepared for trial, Matthew said, "No."

Schell has denied postponement requests from defense attorneys, who said they needed more time to assess evidence provided by prosecutors.

Read more:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/08/us-usa-virginia-rape-idUSKBN0OO1LN20150608

Jesse Matthew, in custody over Hannah Graham's death, pleads not guilty in 2005 attack


Jesse Matthew Jr., shown Nov. 14, 2014, looks toward the gallery during a court appearance in Fairfax, Va.
(Bill O'Leary, AP)

Jesse Matthew, who could eventually face a death penalty in the slaying of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, pleaded not guilty Monday in a separate prosecution that could send him to prison for life.

Trial began Monday for Matthew, 33, of Charlottesville, in Fairfax, where he is charged with attempted capital murder, abduction and sexual assault in connection with a 2005 attack.

Matthew, wearing a dress shirt and yellow tie, entered his plea on all three counts in a soft-spoken voice.

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-jesse-matthew-2005-virginia-attack-20150608-story.html

A new thread has been created for Jesse Matthew's current trial.

Please post trial-related information here:  http://www.realitychatter.com/t4671-jesse-mathew-trial-for-2005-attempted-capital-murder-abduction-and-sexual-assault-case-is-related-to-harrington-and-graham-case#254021

Jesse Matthew enters Alford plea in '05 Virginia sex assault

MATTHEW BARAKAT Jun 10th 2015 12:53PM

~snipped~
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Jesse Matthew has entered an Alford plea on charges that he attacked and molested a woman in Virginia in 2005, acknowledging that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him.

Wednesday's plea means Matthews maintains his innocence. It is a form of a guilty plea, but without an explicit admission of guilt.

Matthew, 33, of Charlottesville, also is charged in a separate case with the abduction and killing last year of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham.

His plea came after the prosecution rested its case with DNA evidence linking him to the September 2005 case in Fairfax. Defense lawyers tried unsuccessfully to get the judge to strike the case.

Prosecutor Ray Morrogh said Matthew is entering the plea without any plea agreement with prosecutors.

Matthew faces up to life in prison when sentenced.

http://www.aol.com/article/2015/06/10/testimony-dna-from-sex-assault-linked-to-jesse-matthew/21194024/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D1574688726

(Note: Sentencing is set for October 2, 2015 at 2:00 PM)

Impact of Jesse Matthew Fairfax case on Hannah Graham murder trial

By Mike Murillo | @MikeMurilloWTOP
June 12, 2015 5:21 am

WASHINGTON — An unexpected plea by Jesse Matthew on Wednesday in a 2005 sexual assault trial will most likely impact his pending murder trial in the death of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. What is unclear is what role the result might play.

~Snipped~

If Matthew receives a long prison sentence in Fairfax County, the defense team could use the sentence as a reason for the prosecution to take the death penalty off the table in the Graham murder.

“It may take some of the pressure or heat off Albemarle prosecutors to really go after a death sentence,” Heilberg said.

With an Alford plea, Matthew cannot challenge the conviction or sentence in the Fairfax County case. Also, Virginia doesn’t have parole, which means Matthew will serve the entire sentence.

Felony convictions could make the job of keeping Matthew off death row even harder for his defense team in the Graham case.

Read more:

http://wtop.com/virginia/2015/06/impact-of-jesse-matthew-fairfax-case-on-hannah-graham-murder-trial/

Jesse Matthew's Attorneys Ask For Judge to Be Recused from Hannah Graham Case

Updated: Tue 9:26 PM, Jun 16, 2015

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (NEWSPLEX) --  Attorneys for Jesse Matthew Jr. have filed a motion asking Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Higgins to recuse herself from hearing Matthew's capital murder trial for the death of Hannah Graham.

Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford confirmed that the motion had been filed last week, and that Lunsford issued her response on Tuesday.

Higgins has mentioned in past hearings for the Jesse Matthew case that she has a daughter who is a student at the University of Virginia, but Higgins said she did not think that would affect her judgment in the Hannah Graham case.

A hearing is scheduled for the Matthew case on June 25 in Albemarle County. A trial date has not yet been set.

Read more:

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Jesse-Matthews-Attorneys-Ask-For-Judge-to-Be-Recused-from-Hannah-Graham-Case-307740521.html?ref=521

Judge to Consider Recusal Motion in UVA Slaying Case

June 25, 2015 7:12 AM


Police charged Jesse Matthew Jr. (left) with abduction in the case of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. (Photos from Charlottesville Police)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The man charged with abducting and killing a University of Virginia student is due in court.

Albemarle County Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins will consider a defense request that she step down from the case at Thursday’s hearing. Jesse Matthew Jr.’s attorney says in court papers that Higgins approved search warrants that will be challenged at trial. He also notes that the judge’s daughter attends the university.

If Higgins rejects the recusal motion, she may set a trial date.

Matthew is charged in the September abduction and slaying of 18-year-old Hannah Graham. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Read more:

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2015/06/25/judge-to-consider-recusal-motion-in-uva-slaying-case/

DAY AHEAD: Jesse Matthew in court for Hannah Graham trial date hearing

Posted: Jun 25, 2015 5:43 AM CDT
Updated: Jun 25, 2015 6:10 AM CDT

By NBC12 Newsroom

ALBEMARLE, VA (WWBT) - Jesse Matthew heads to court for a hearing in the case for the murder of UVA student Hannah Graham.

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Albemarle County to set a trial date.
It's the first time the case will be in court after Matthew's lawyers attempted to get the judge in the case to recuse herself because her daughter attends UVA. Judge Cheryl Higgins denied that request.

http://www.nbc12.com/story/29404763/day-ahead-jesse-matthew-in-court-for-hannah-graham-trial-date-hearing

Albemarle trial date set for Jesse Matthew; judge to remain on case

Posted on Jun 25, 2015
by Dean Seal


RYAN M. KELLY/THE DAILY PROGRESS
Jesse Matthew leaves Albemarle County Circuit Court on Thursday after a hearing. A month-long jury trail in the abduction and death of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham was set for July 5, 2016.


A timeline is forming for the prosecution of Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr., the man accused of abducting and killing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham last year.
 
Matthew, 33, is charged with capital murder in the Graham case, and is set to face a month-long jury trial scheduled to begin July 5, 2016. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

In court Thursday, Albemarle County Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins said, in spite of a request filed by Matthew’s defense two weeks ago, she would not recuse herself from Matthew’s jury trial. The defense argued that because Higgins approved 25 of the 54 search warrants issued during the investigation into Graham’s disappearance, it would not be prudent for her to review the legality of those warrants as the court “must avoid the appearance of impropriety.”

Read more:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/crime/albemarle-trial-date-set-for-jesse-matthew-judge-to-remain/article_1a23daee-1b92-11e5-904c-afb34d1af900.html

No blood found in Jesse Matthew’s car seized after Hannah Graham disappearance (Video)

Posted 9:57 pm, July 16, 2015, by Web Staff and Laura French, Updated at 05:56am, July 17, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Search warrants revealed no evidence of blood found in Jesse Matthew’s car seized after the disappearance of Hannah Graham.



The court document listed a number of warrants and orders issued by the Albemarle judge who the defense wanted off the case. The documents authorized by the judge included the information that there was no blood DNA removed from Matthew’s car.



Investigators also retrieved Matthew’s and Graham’s phones and various digital records, along with those of at least one more unknown third party. Matthew is charged with capital murder in the second-year University of Virginia student’s death.

The next motion hearing is set for August 20. Matthew’s trial was scheduled for 2016.

Read more:

http://wtvr.com/2015/07/16/search-warrants-reveal-no-blood-found-in-dna-from-jesse-matthews-car/

New Evidence in Jesse Mathew Case

Updated: Fri 6:49 PM, Jul 17, 2015

By: Cherney Amhara



ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (NEWSPLEX) --  The new court documents released in Jesse Matthew, Jr.'s capital murder trial show there was no blood in Matthew's car when it was searched.

~Snipped~

A legal analyst, Scott Goodman, says not having blood may not weaken the prosecution's case because they likely have other evidence connecting Matthew to the victim, Hannah Graham.

"If there were internal injuries then you wouldn't necessarily find blood on the outside, so the manner of death is going to be important," said Goodman. "The fact that there was no blood found in the car sort of doesn't mean that Hannah Graham wasn't in that car, wasn't killed in that car, but it is one less circumstance that the Commonwealth has to link Mr. Matthew to a death, it's still not fatal at all to the Commonwealth's case."

Goodman says prosecutors likely have other forensic evidence, such as fingernail scrapings and hair, as well as cell phone records.

Read more:

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/New-Evidence-in-Jesse-Mathew-Case-316327471.html

^^^I would be willing to bet that there was something (fingerprints, hair, etc.) in JM's car from Hannah. It is quite possible that Hannah was not killed in the car. Maybe, JM raped her and killed her in the same field that her body was found in. I am very interested in learning what evidence does exist. Patience...

New motions filed in Jesse Matthew capital murder case

By M. Grigsby - WSLS.com
Published: July 30, 2015, 3:37 pm  |  Updated: July 30, 2015, 3:53 pm

CHARLOSTTESVILLE (WVIR) – Jesse Matthew’s defense team filed a slew of new motions in his capital murder case. He’s accused of murdering UVA student Hannah Graham last year.

~Snipped~

Jesse Matthew’s defense team filed 12 motions in the case late Wednesday afternoon in Albemarle Circuit Court. Thursday is the deadline for filing motions ahead of a pretrial motions hearing next month. The motions filed Wednesday deal with evidence leading up to the trial and what the defense wants at trial.

~Snipped~

Experts say the latest motions are routine. The 12 motions filed include:

•Motion invoking Matthew’s 4th, 5th and 6th amendment rights specifically not to speak to law enforcement, the prosecutor, the attorney general’s office and other government agencies.
•Motion for Matthew to be present at every hearing.
•Motion asking for Matthew to not be shackled in public and appear in his personal attire during the trial.
•Motion to bar tokens or insignia of support for either side during trial.
•Motion to appoint judge to hear expert funding requests.
•Motion to preserve all evidence, including biological evidence, physical evidence collected from crime scene and alleged weapons among others.
•Motion to preserve law enforcement notes.
•Motion to stop any additional state evidence testing or examination without notifying the defense for approval.
•Motion to have notice of parts of Jesse Matthew’s criminal past planned for use during any sentencing hearing.
•Motion for particulars on statutory aggravators the commonwealth would use at a capital sentencing.
•Motion to examine evidence without the prosecutor or investigators present.
•Motion to prohibit extrajudicial statements including any talk of a guilty plea and other matters by lawyers.

The commonwealth’s attorney has two weeks to reply to the new motions.  A 1:30 p.m. motions hearing is set for August 20 at Albemarle County Circuit Court.

Read more:

http://wsls.com/2015/07/30/new-motions-filed-in-jesse-matthew-capital-murder-case/

Top prosecutor responds to defense motions in Jesse Matthew case

By WSLS.com Staff
Published: August 13, 2015, 7:26 pm  |  Updated: August 14, 2015, 5:11 am

ALBEMARLE CO. (WVIR) – Albemarle County’s top prosecutor is responding to a slew of motions filed by Jesse Matthew’s defense team.

Albemarle Co. Commonwealth’s Attorney Denise Lunsford is attempting to convince a judge to deny, at least in part, the majority of the defense’s motions in the capital murder case.

~Snipped~

Court documents filed by the prosecution on Thursday respond line by line to the defense’s motions. Lunsford called most of the defense motions “too board” or “beyond what the law calls for.” Most notably, the prosecution wants people to be able to wear small pins with the letters “HG” on them at next year’s trial.

The commonwealth also doesn’t want to spell out which of the 10 aggravating factors – used for capital murder charges – it would rely on at a potential sentencing hearing. Those factors are:

1.The murder was especially heinous, atrocious, cruel or depraved (or involved torture)

2.The defendant is a future danger

3.The willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of any person in the commission of abduction when the abduction was committed with the intent to extort money or a pecuniary benefit or with the intent to defile the victim of such abduction

4.The willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of any person in the commission of, or subsequent to, rape or attempted rape, forcible sodomy or attempted forcible sodomy or object sexual penetration

5.The willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of any person in the commission of robbery or attempted robbery

6.The willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of any person by another pursuant to the direction or order of one who is engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise

7.The willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of any person by another in the commission of or attempted commission of an act of terrorism

8.Murder victim was under the age of 14 and the defendant was 21 years of age of older

9.The willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a law enforcement officer or any law enforcement officer of another state or the US having the power to arrest for a felony under the laws when such killing is for the purpose of interfering with the performances of his official duties

10.The willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a pregnant woman by one who knows that the woman is pregnant and has the intent to cause the involuntary termination of the woman’s pregnancy without a live birth

Judge Cheryl Higgins will take up all 12 motions and hear from both sides at a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20.

Read more:

http://wsls.com/2015/08/13/top-prosecutor-responds-to-defense-motions-in-jesse-matthew-case/

First testimony could be heard in Hannah Graham murder case

Posted 6:31 pm, August 17, 2015, by Laura French

ALBEMARLE, Va. — A police officer could take the stand at the next court appearance for Jesse Matthew.

The state has subpoenaed an Albemarle County police sergeant to testify at Matthew’s motions hearing on Thursday.

It’s the first time anyone will have testified in this case.

Read more:

http://wtvr.com/2015/08/17/first-testimony-could-be-heard-in-hannah-graham-murder-case/

Gil Harrington Shares Concerns Prior to Hearing on Matthew's Defense Motions

Updated: Wed 7:10 PM, Aug 19, 2015
By: Courteney Stuart



CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (NEWSPLEX) --  Jesse Matthew, Jr. will be in Albemarle County Circuit Court Thursday, at which time a judge will decide on a dozen requests from his attorneys.

Prosecutors have objected to all 12 of the defense motions filed July 29, and they aren't the only ones with concerns about the requests.

For Gil Harrington, the mother of Morgan Harrington, the Virginia Tech student who was killed in 2009 and whose case has been linked to Matthew through DNA, the defense's request to ban "tokens and insignia" from the courtroom is problematic.

"That's what victims' families have," said Harrington. "All we've got are tokens and insignia. And we're going to be pretty reluctant to let go of them."

Harrington and supporters of Hannah Gram's family have made pins with the initials H.G. for Hannah Graham, and the Harrington family has long used dots in the pattern of "2-4-1," the family's special code for "I love you 2 much, 4-ever, and 1 more time."

Read more:

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Gil-Harrington-Shares-Concerns-Prior-to-Hearing-on-Matthews-Defense-Motions-322339111.html

Jesse Matthew back in court in connection to Hannah Graham murder case
Posted: Aug 20, 2015 2:19 AM PST  Updated: Aug 21, 2015 12:01 PM PST  By Kelly Avellino


ALBEMARLE, VA (WWBT) - Accused killer, Jesse Matthew, appeared in an Albemarle County courtroom, despite his trial still being nearly a year away.

Matthew's defense team filed motions ahead of his July 2016 trial for the murder of UVA student, Hannah Graham. On Thursday, the judge heard a dozen-different motions involving the case.

One of those requests asked that Matthew be allowed to wear civilian clothing and have less shackles on during his court dates.  The judge denied that request. But in a twist, Matthew was released from his waist chains during the proceeding and allowed to take notes with a pad and pen, while still wearing handcuffs.

Read more:  http://www.nbc12.com/story/29839712/jesse-matthew-back-in-court-in-connection-to-hannah-graham-murder-case

Suspect in Hannah Graham’s slaying was heading to Mexico, officer says
By T. Rees Shapiro August 20

The man suspected of abducting and killing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham last year apparently was heading toward the Mexican border when he was arrested on a beach in Texas amid a national manhunt, according to court testimony Thursday.

...In court Thursday, an Albemarle County police officer said that Matthew had maps indicating he was heading for Mexico in his sister’s car, WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reported. Matthew was taken into custody in late September without incident and has been held since.

...On Thursday, Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl V. Higgins ruled on several motions filed by the defense, often deciding in the favor of prosecutors.

Read more:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/police-say-alleged-killer-of-u-va-student-hannah-graham-was-heading-to-mexico/2015/08/20/3420fd2e-4751-11e5-8ab4-c73967a143d3_story.html

HG 2014 Pins: What Are They?


"....Lapel pins reading HG 2014 are now under legal scrutiny, with Jesse Matthew’s defense team asking they be kept out of court.

Judge Cheryl Higgins took that motion under advisement at Matthew’s August hearing, saying both sides have merit. But what are the pins and where did they come from?

Each year, the Albemarle County Police Foundation holds a banquet and formally recognizes the hard work and sacrifice of a handful of officers. But with the search for Hannah Graham the largest search and rescue effort in state history, the Foundation decided to give a gift to everyone for a department-wide effort. Pins were also given to people from other departments involved in the case, as well as Hannah Graham’s family. Albemarle County Police Foundation Executive Director Laura Futty says there was never an ulterior motive, just a heartfelt wish to thank a department that put in countless hours....."

http://wina.com/news/064460-hg-2014-pins-what-are-they/

Jesse Matthew lawyers request names, addresses of grand jury members behind Hannah Graham murder indictment
Posted 4:19 pm, September 10, 2015, by Mike Bergazzi and Laura French, Updated at 06:25pm, September 10, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Lawyers for Jesse Matthew, the man accused of abducting and killing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham last September, have asked the judge to release the names and addresses of grand jury members who indicted Matthew on abduction and murder charges.

The defense attorneys said they requested the information to help determine whether or not the grand jury selection was constitutional.

Read more:  http://wtvr.com/2015/09/10/jesse-matthew-motions/

Judge denies defense motions for Jesse Matthew in Hannah Graham case

POSTED: 08:25 AM EDT Oct 08, 2015  |  UPDATED: 08:38 AM EDT Oct 08, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -  A judge has denied defense motions regarding experts in the case of a man charged with killing a University of Virginia student.

Multiple media outlets report that Jesse Matthew Jr.'s court-appointed lawyers sought a separate judge to hear in private their requests to fund two experts.

Matthew's lawyers say they can't identify the experts because of privacy concerns about their trial strategy.

Prosecutors opposed the requests.

Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Higgins denied the motions on Wednesday.

Read more:

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/judge-denies-defense-motions-in-hannah-graham-case/35720928