US: Capital murder indictment returned in British-born student slaying case

[webfact]

Capital murder indictment returned in student slaying case
LARRY O'DELL, Associated Press

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (AP) — The man accused of abducting and killing a British-born University of Virginia student has been charged with capital murder and a prosecutor said Tuesday she will seek the death penalty.

The indictment accusing Jesse L. Matthew Jr. of capital murder in the death of Hannah Graham is based on new forensic evidence, Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford said. She declined to elaborate on the new evidence.

Matthew, a former hospital worker and taxi driver, already was charged with first-degree murder and abduction with intent to defile and is being held without bond.

Shackled and handcuffed, Matthew showed no expression at Tuesday's hearing. He had been served the new indictment earlier in the day, Lunsford said.

Lunsford said that while the new forensic evidence was crucial, many factors go into pursuing a death penalty case.

"I would consider the nature of the offense, the history of the defendant, the exact nature of what happened," said Lunsford.

Graham, 18, disappeared in September after a night out with friends in Charlottesville, where the school is located. Her remains were found weeks later in an area about 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the campus.

Graham died from "homicidal violence" but the exact cause is unknown, authorities have said.

Graham met friends at a restaurant for dinner last Sept. 12 before stopping by two off-campus parties. She left the second party alone and eventually texted a friend saying she was lost, according to authorities.

In surveillance video, she can be seen walking unsteadily and even running at times, past a pub and a service station and then onto a seven-block strip of bars, restaurants and shops.

Matthew was the last man seen with Graham.

On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins appointed regional capital defender Doug Ramseur and Charlottesville attorney Michael Hemenway to replace the lawyers who represented Matthew on the first-degree murder charge.

A June 25 hearing has been scheduled to set the trial date.

Lunsford said many factors go into pursuing a death penalty case.

"I would consider the nature of the offense, the history of the defendant, the exact nature of what happened," she said.

Ramseur declined to comment.

Police have said forensic evidence connects Matthew to another slaying in this college town. The remains of 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington were found in 2010 in a field outside of Charlottesville. She had disappeared after attending a rock concert in the college town the previous year.

Matthew has not been charged in Harrington's death.

Matthew also faces trial June 8 on charges of attempted murder and sexual assault in an unrelated case in Fairfax County.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-05-06

[hgma]

Thai related?

[NeverSure]

Thai related?

It's the World News section.

Points of law. The OP mentioned a circuit court judge which means the state court rather than a federal court which indicates that there's no federal beef such as kidnapping.

Again they are properly keeping the details of evidence from the public so they don't prejudice the potential jury pool or influence any future witnesses they may find.

The court and the prosecutor and the defense attorneys have all of this information and evidence as soon as it's found. They are bound to keep it from the public but they can hire outside experts who must also maintain confidentiality.

Everything will come out at the trial before the jury and that will be very open and public.

This guy must be a monster. Condolences to everyone who's affected.

[Chicog]

Thai related?

Out of interest, could you explain how you found the "World News" forum without realising that it contains "World News"?

Edited May 6, 2015 by Chicog

[impulse]

Thai related?

Out of interest, could you explain how you found the "World News" forum without realising that it contains "World News"?

Ooh, I know, I know. Pick me:

If I click on the email I get a couple times a day, I have no clue which forum the linked thread is in.

Edited May 6, 2015 by impulse