Jesse Matthew Charged with First Degree Murder in UVA Case

PHOTO: Jesse Matthew photo courtesy of Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office

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Jesse Matthew has been charged with First Degree Murder in connection with the death of UVA sophomore Hannah Graham, officials said Tuesday.

On Monday, Feb. 2, the Grand Jury for Albemarle County returned two indictments against Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. in connection with the Sept. 13 disappearance and death of Hannah Elizabeth Graham, Denise Lunsford, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Albemarle County, said Tuesday in a statement released by her office.

Matthew, 33, was charged with First Degree Murder of Graham and Abduction with Intent to Defile Graham, she said.

The maximum penalty for each is life in prison, according to the statement.

Hannah Graham, 18, was a sophomore at the University of Virginia and a graduate of Fairfax County Public Schools’ West Potomac High School.

Matthew “is not charged with capital murder,” Lunsford noted in the news conference. “I’m not going to discuss the specific facts and circumstances that led to this consideration for ethical reasons, however understand that 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. I have discussed this matter with the Grahams on many occasions and they are aware of the indictments.”

She refused to discuss evidence against Matthew or why the death penalty wasn’t being pursued, when she took questions from reporters.

Lunsford said there are no pending charges regarding Morgan Harrington, another college student whose remains were found in the area.

Matthew will appear in Albemarle Circuit Court by video Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m., when he will be advised of his right to counsel. He is being held in the Fairfax County jail, where he is awaiting a trial on charges he sexually assaulted a woman in Fairfax City in 2005. A Fairfax County judge is expected to set a date Friday for that trial.

The following is a statement released by Col. Steve Sellers with the Albemarle County Police Department on Tuesday, who took to the podium before Lunsford made her remarks:

“On behalf of the Albemarle County Police Department and my colleague Chief Longo, our sincere appreciation goes out to the many community members and citizens who assisted in the search for Hannah Graham or supported our efforts each and every day. We are truly thankful to the public safety community, including the many volunteers and professionals who contributed to locating Hannah.

Our efforts to this point would not be possible without the dedicated professionals from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the FBI, the Virginia State Police, the Chesterfield Co. Sheriff’s Office, the Albemarle Co. Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Team and the many state and local police and fire professionals who contributed to this effort.

Following the discovery of Hannah Graham’s remains in Albemarle County, the criminal investigation transitioned from the Charlottesville Police Department to the Albemarle County Police Department. This transition was made easy since Chief Longo requested our involvement from the very early stages of the search and investigation.

To best maintain continuity throughout the investigation, Chief Longo graciously allowed his investigative resources to work with our investigative team throughout the last few months. Following an extensive investigation and a successful multi-jurisdictional partnership, the Albemarle County Police Department has completed the investigation into the disappearance and death of Hannah Graham.

The case now transitions over to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for prosecution. Please allow me to introduce Ms. Denise Lunsford, the Albemarle County prosecutor, who will speak about the legal process and the upcoming prosecution.”

Also read:

• Jesse Matthew to Be Charged with First Degree Murder in Hannah Graham Case: Report
• Jesse Matthew Pleads Not Guilty to 2005 Fairfax Rape Charges
• Jesse Matthew Booked Into Fairfax County Adult Detention Center; Hearing Friday
• VIDEO: Charlottesville, Albemarle Police Discuss Discovery of Human Remains

• Remains Found in Hannah Graham Investigation
• Hannah Graham’s Parents Release Statement
• VIDEO: Parents of Missing UVA Student Hannah Graham: ‘Help Us End This Nightmare’
• State Police Link Jesse Matthew to 2009 College Student Murder
• Suspect in Hannah Graham Disappearance Won’t Fight Extradition from Texas
• Police Charge Jesse Matthew with ‘Abduction, Attempt to Defile’ in Hannah Graham Case
• Police Issue Wanted Poster for ‘Person of Interest’ in Missing College Student Case
• Missing College Student’s Parents: ‘This Is Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare’
• Charlottesville Police Reveal Name of ‘Person of Interest’ to Media in Hannah Graham Case, No Charges Filed
• Police: Missing College Student Hannah Graham Left Bar with ‘Person of Interest’
• Police Execute Search Warrants in Connection with Missing UVA Student Hannah Graham
• UVA Holds ‘Bring Hannah Back’ Candlelight Vigil
• Charlottesville Police Offer Description of ‘Person of Interest’ in College Student Disappearance
• Security Video Shows Missing UVA College Student Hannah Graham
• New Videos Provide Clues to College Student’s Disappearance
• Family of Missing College Student, Hannah Graham, Issues Statement
• Missing College Student’s Last Text: ‘I’m Lost, Come Find Me’
• Police: West Potomac High School Grad Reported Missing at UVA

Watch a video of Tuesday’s news conference posted to YouTube by WAVY TV 10: