CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The man charged with abducting and killing a University of Virginia student has been charged with capital murder and now faces the prospect of the death penalty.
An indictment announced Tuesday in Virginia’s Albemarle County adds the charge in the case against Jesse Matthew Jr.
Prosecutor Denise Lunsford said the charge is based on new forensic evidence in the slaying of 18-year-old Hannah Graham.
Lunsford said she would seek the death penalty if Matthew goes to trial and is convicted on the capital murder charge. He already had been accused of kidnapping with intent to defile.
Graham 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 from the campus.
