06-05-2015, 10:03 AM
Jesse Matthew goes on trial for 2005 Sexual Assault
![[Image: 635594565956632351-635514089781135352-Matthew-Jesse.jpg]](http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/bcef3913a9a4abe8a4ba8f15ad49fb3b85ffc32c/c=0-0-534-712&r=537&c=0-0-534-712/local/-/media/2015/02/13/WUSA/WUSA/635594565956632351-635514089781135352-Matthew-Jesse.jpg)
The trial starts next week.
The victim's identity is being protected. Matthew was linked to the assault by DNA from the rape kit after he was arrested for the murder of Hannah Graham.
Yesterday, the sexual assault victim positively identified Matthew as her attacker at a pre-trial hearing. Matthew's defense attorney tried to block the identification by suggesting that the victim could have been influenced by the publicity surrounding Matthew, but the judge denied the defense's motion.
Matthew has also been charged in the murder of Hannah Graham last year. Though his DNA was found on the discarded PANTERA t-shirt Morgan Harrington was wearing when she was abducted and murdered, he has not been charged with her 2009 murder at this time.
The trial starts next week.
The victim's identity is being protected. Matthew was linked to the assault by DNA from the rape kit after he was arrested for the murder of Hannah Graham.
Yesterday, the sexual assault victim positively identified Matthew as her attacker at a pre-trial hearing. Matthew's defense attorney tried to block the identification by suggesting that the victim could have been influenced by the publicity surrounding Matthew, but the judge denied the defense's motion.
Matthew has also been charged in the murder of Hannah Graham last year. Though his DNA was found on the discarded PANTERA t-shirt Morgan Harrington was wearing when she was abducted and murdered, he has not been charged with her 2009 murder at this time.