Virginia to Seek Death Penalty Against Jesse Matthew

Jesse Leroy Matthew, Jr., the Charlottesville man accused in the abduction and homicide of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham of Fairfax County, could now be facing the death penalty if convicted.

The Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Denise Lunsford announced Tuesday in a news conference that new forensic evidence has prompted her to add a capital murder charge “if Matthew goes to trial.”

Matthew, 33, is already facing abduction and first-degree murder charges in the case. Graham, 18, was a graduate of West Potomac High School.

On Tuesday, Matthew was in court awaiting a new trial date. The trial was originally scheduled to start June 29, but Matthew’s lawyers asked for more time so that a DNA expert could look at evidence in the case.

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• 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