Jesse Matthew Jr. Gets 4 Life Terms in College Student Slayings

Jesse L. Matthew Jr., 34, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the first degree murder and abduction with intent to defile Hannah Graham and Morgan Harrington. He was sentenced to four life terms.

"We miss her every day and know that others do too," said Hannah Graham's father, John Graham, his wife Sue at his side.

John Graham said his daughter wanted to "change the world" and did so at a "terrible price" by getting a predator off the streets.

Matthew's charges stem from the 2014 abduction and murder of Hannah E. Graham, 18, and the 2009 abduction and murder of Morgan D. Harrington, 20. Matthew was indicted for first degree murder and abduction with intent to defile in the case of Hannah Graham by an Albemarle County grand jury in February 2015, with capital murder in that case in April 2015. He was later indicted by an Albemarle County Special Grand Jury with first degree murder and abduction with intent to defile in the case of Morgan Harrington in September 2015.

“This resolution serves the interests of justice by ensuring the defendant will never again pose a threat to public safety," said Robert N. Tracci, Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney. "It is consistent with the wishes of the Graham and Harrington families, and provides a measure of legal finality in cases that would have been subject to highly public trials and protracted appellate review. The agreement can be attributed to the outstanding work of law enforcement personnel and volunteers who made Hannah and Morgan’s cause their own."

Plea agreement details

Matthew entered guilty pleas to:

• First Degree Murder1 of Hannah Graham
• Abduction with Intent to Defile2 Hannah Graham
• First Degree Murder of Morgan Harrington
• Abduction with Intent to Defile Morgan Harrington
• Commonwealth nolle prossed capital murder charge, meaning that the Commonwealth can re-indict for this offense without time limit should the defendant violate the terms of the plea agreement.

Maximum Sentence for Each Count:

The defendant agreed and has been sentenced to four additional consecutive life sentences, the statutory maximum for each of these counts. Matthew was already serving a life sentence for a 2005 attempted murder and sex assault of a 26-year old woman walking home at night from a grocery store in Fairfax City.

Waiver of Right to Seek Early, Conditional, Geriatric Release or any Parole:

• There is no parole for offenses committed after 1995. VA Code § 53.1-165.1. Under the previous parole statute, capital offenders sentenced to life in prison were eligible for parole after serving 25 years of their sentence. Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-151(C). Even capital offenders serving multiple life terms were eligible for parole after serving 30 years of their sentence. Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-151(D). While neither are possible under present law, the defendant waives his right to petition for such release

• Individuals convicted of non-capital felonies may petition the Parole Board for conditional geriatric release after having served 5 years AND having reached age 65 OR having served 10 years AND having reached age 60. Va. Ann. Code § 53.1-40.01 Defendant explicitly waives his right to make such a petition as part of his plea and waives his right to any other type of conditional, early release, or parole

Waiver of Right to Appeal or Withdraw Plea:

• The Defendant waives his right to appeal the decision of the court and his ability to withdraw the plea

Basis of the Plea:

• Ensures public safety and offender accountability by requiring a guilty plea imposing an additional four consecutive life terms and waiver of any right to early release or parole

• Serves the interests of justice by providing a joint resolution consistent with the wishes of the Graham and Harrington families

• Avoids re-victimization of Hannah and Morgan’s friends and families associated with trial
• Provides the families, community, and Commonwealth legal finality and certainty in cases that would have been subject to indefinite appellate process
• Possible only as a result of the professionalism and dedication of law enforcement personnel

Matthew, 34, was charged with capital murder in Graham’s disappearance and death and was expected to enter into the plea agreement Wednesday. The daughter of Sue and John Graham was a University of Virginia student was 18 when she disappeared Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 in Charlottesville and was found six weeks later deceased, about 12 miles from campus. She was a 2013 graduate of West Potomac High School in Fairfax County.

Matthew was expected to go on trial in the summer and would have faced the death penalty.

Patch will update the story with new information as it becomes available.

PHOTO of Jesse Matthew/mug shot