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| Charlottesville police ask property owners to search for signs of U-Va. student | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE — Police are asking property owners in this city and throughout nearby rural Albemarle County to look for any signs of missing U-Va. student Hannah Graham, hoping that they can locate her. | |
| Police Chief Timothy J. Longo said during a news conference Thursday afternoon that searchers have combed through most of Charlottesville and are now moving south into surrounding farms and woodland. He also urged realtors and others to look in and around vacant homes and buildings in an effort to find the teenager, who has been missing since Sept. 13. | |
| Longo said Graham had an iPhone 5S with a pink case that has not been discovered, and he said people should report anything they see that seems out of the ordinary, including unexpected tire tracks, clothing, or other evidence that might help police find her. | |
| “We have no idea where she is, despite our best efforts,” Longo said. | |
| Longo said in an interview Thursday that he wants anyone who knows Jesse L. “LJ” Matthew Jr., 32, who is charged with abducting Graham, to help in identifying spots that Matthew frequented and areas that would be familiar to him. Police have been searching for Graham for 12 days and have come up with almost no sign of her. | |
| Charlottesville investigators arrived in Galveston, Tex., on Thursday, where Matthew appeared in court earlier in the day after being arrested on a beach Wednesday afternoon. Longo said police will not approach Matthew about the case because he already has invoked his right to consult with a lawyer. | |
| Matthew, who is the last known person to see Graham, has been charged with abduction with intent to sexually assault her, and police have not detailed what evidence they have against him. Matthew was taken into custody Wednesday near Galveston, Tex., after a widespread manhunt, and police said he now will be taken to Charlottesville to face charges in her disappearance. | Matthew, who is the last known person to see Graham, has been charged with abduction with intent to sexually assault her, and police have not detailed what evidence they have against him. Matthew was taken into custody Wednesday near Galveston, Tex., after a widespread manhunt, and police said he now will be taken to Charlottesville to face charges in her disappearance. |
| Matthew appeared briefly early Thursday in a Texas courtroom, where a judge denied bond and read Matthew his rights. Matthew declined a court-appointed attorney. | Matthew appeared briefly early Thursday in a Texas courtroom, where a judge denied bond and read Matthew his rights. Matthew declined a court-appointed attorney. |
| The charge against Matthew suggests that police believe they have evidence that Matthew took Graham against her will — or while she was in a state that left her unable to consent — but they have not laid out that evidence. | The charge against Matthew suggests that police believe they have evidence that Matthew took Graham against her will — or while she was in a state that left her unable to consent — but they have not laid out that evidence. |
| Longo said it is unclear why Matthew was in the Galveston area, which is on the Gulf of Mexico southeast of Houston, about 1,300 miles from Charlottesville. Adam S. Lee, FBI special agent in charge of the Richmond division, said Matthew was taken into custody by a member of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. | Longo said it is unclear why Matthew was in the Galveston area, which is on the Gulf of Mexico southeast of Houston, about 1,300 miles from Charlottesville. Adam S. Lee, FBI special agent in charge of the Richmond division, said Matthew was taken into custody by a member of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. |
| “It’s a positive close to this chapter of this very important case, and we look forward to more positive developments,” Lee said. | “It’s a positive close to this chapter of this very important case, and we look forward to more positive developments,” Lee said. |
| Maj. Raymond Tuttoilmondo, a spokesman for the Galveston County sheriff, said that Matthew was arrested about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on a beach in Gilchrist, on the Bolivar Peninsula. According to the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, Gilchrist is a residential community and beachfront resort between Galveston Bay and the Gulf. | Maj. Raymond Tuttoilmondo, a spokesman for the Galveston County sheriff, said that Matthew was arrested about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on a beach in Gilchrist, on the Bolivar Peninsula. According to the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, Gilchrist is a residential community and beachfront resort between Galveston Bay and the Gulf. |
| Galveston Sheriff’s Office Captain Barry Cook said an officer found Matthew on the beach after receiving a call about a suspicious person. Cook said the caller was driving down the beach near an area called the Rollover Pass when he came upon Matthew and had an interaction that led him to call authorities. Cook did not have additional details about the interaction. | Galveston Sheriff’s Office Captain Barry Cook said an officer found Matthew on the beach after receiving a call about a suspicious person. Cook said the caller was driving down the beach near an area called the Rollover Pass when he came upon Matthew and had an interaction that led him to call authorities. Cook did not have additional details about the interaction. |
| The responding officer noticed Matthew had pitched a tent on the beach, Cook said. Matthew initially gave a false name to the officer, but the officer ran the plates on Matthew’s car and discovered he was wanted in Virginia, Cook said. Matthew was taken into custody without incident and his car was seized to be searched for evidence. | The responding officer noticed Matthew had pitched a tent on the beach, Cook said. Matthew initially gave a false name to the officer, but the officer ran the plates on Matthew’s car and discovered he was wanted in Virginia, Cook said. Matthew was taken into custody without incident and his car was seized to be searched for evidence. |
| Cook said Matthew did not give any indication of why he was in the Galveston area and noted that the peninsula seems an odd place to seek refuge. Cook said Gilchrist is a popular summer vacation destination with lots of beach rentals, but the area clears out after Labor Day, which means Matthew would have stood out. | Cook said Matthew did not give any indication of why he was in the Galveston area and noted that the peninsula seems an odd place to seek refuge. Cook said Gilchrist is a popular summer vacation destination with lots of beach rentals, but the area clears out after Labor Day, which means Matthew would have stood out. |
| “It is not the logical place I would choose to hideout, but who knows what goes through the mind of a fugitive,” Cook said. | “It is not the logical place I would choose to hideout, but who knows what goes through the mind of a fugitive,” Cook said. |
| [See a map of the region where Matthew was apprehended.] | [See a map of the region where Matthew was apprehended.] |
| It is unclear what ties Matthew might have to Texas. He grew up in the Charlottesville area and attended two Virginia universities — Liberty from 2000 to 2002 and then Christopher Newport in 2003. He played football at both schools and left both schools early, though neither could discuss the circumstances of his departures, citing privacy rules. | |
| Longo said the search continues for Graham, who has been missing for 12 days, adding that the case isn’t close to being over. A reward for Graham’s safe return has risen to $100,000, he said. | Longo said the search continues for Graham, who has been missing for 12 days, adding that the case isn’t close to being over. A reward for Graham’s safe return has risen to $100,000, he said. |
| “We are asking every person within the sound of my voice to find Hannah Graham,” Longo said. | “We are asking every person within the sound of my voice to find Hannah Graham,” Longo said. |
| Charlottesville lawyer James L. Camblos III, who said he is representing Matthew in the case, said Wednesday night that Matthew’s family expressed relief that he had been apprehended. | Charlottesville lawyer James L. Camblos III, who said he is representing Matthew in the case, said Wednesday night that Matthew’s family expressed relief that he had been apprehended. |
| “We are very pleased that he is safe and that he will be coming back to Virginia,” Camblos said. “The family — their prayers have been answered that Jesse is safe. We’re very glad that this part of this ordeal is over. . . . After what they’ve been through over the last week and a half, this is somewhat of a relief at this point.” | “We are very pleased that he is safe and that he will be coming back to Virginia,” Camblos said. “The family — their prayers have been answered that Jesse is safe. We’re very glad that this part of this ordeal is over. . . . After what they’ve been through over the last week and a half, this is somewhat of a relief at this point.” |
| Camblos said that he spoke to Matthew late Wednesday after his arrest in Texas. | Camblos said that he spoke to Matthew late Wednesday after his arrest in Texas. |
| “He sounded okay considering the circumstances,” Camblos said. “He called me from the jail and, under the circumstances, he sounded pretty good.” | “He sounded okay considering the circumstances,” Camblos said. “He called me from the jail and, under the circumstances, he sounded pretty good.” |
| Camblos said that he expects Matthew to be extradited to Charlottesville sometime this coming weekend. | Camblos said that he expects Matthew to be extradited to Charlottesville sometime this coming weekend. |
| On Thursday, the owner of the restaurant where Graham was last seen before she disappeared said that Graham never entered the establishment with her alleged abductor, instead waiting outside for him while he purchased drinks there. | |
| Brice Cunningham, owner of the upscale Tempo Restaurant in Charlottesville, said he saw Jesse L. “LJ” Matthew Jr., 32, at the restaurant late on Friday, Sept. 12 and then again during the early morning hours of Sept. 13. Cunningham said that Matthew drank shots of bourbon with two other customers at about 11:45 p.m. and then saw him enjoying music on the restaurant’s dance floor. | |
| Cunningham said that Matthew left the bar briefly and returned just after 1 a.m., closed a tab for two beers at 1:10 a.m. and then left sometime after. He said that Tempo staffers, who were checking identification to ensure patrons were 21, saw Graham outside the bar. He said staffers noticed she was intoxicated and saw her leave with Matthew, walking toward the nearby Downtown Mall. | |
| “None of my staff saw her inside that night,” Cunningham said in an interview Thursday, noting that several dozen people were in the bar at the time. In a statement, Cunningham said that Graham was not served alcohol. “She was, however, noticed by the door person outside the restaurant at that time, and seen leaving with Matthew shortly thereafter. These details helped police reconstruct Ms. Graham’s movements and last known whereabouts.” | |
| Graham had been seen on surveillance video walking with Matthew shortly after 1 a.m. on the city’s Downtown Mall, headed in the direction of Tempo. Friends said her last text to them was at 1:06 a.m., just minutes before Matthew got to Tempo. The owner’s account suggests that Graham arrived at the restaurant with Matthew, waited for him outside, and then left with him, drawing no unusual attention from staff. | |
| The account differs from what police have said about Graham’s interactions with Matthew at Tempo. At a news conference on Friday, the city’s police chief and the lead investigator each said that witnesses saw them both in the restaurant. Chief Timothy J. Longo said “people saw her with that individual in that restaurant,” and Det. Sgt. Jim Mooney said: “We know he purchased alcohol there and we know that Hannah Graham was with him.” | |
| Longo said in an interview Thursday that his investigators “have at least one witness statement that puts Hannah Graham inside the bar with Mr. Matthew. You’re always evaluating witness statements in an ongoing investigation, and we will be talking to folks again, but we have that statement.” | |
| He said investigators will be going back to Tempo to speak with witnesses again about the investigation. | |
| Police want to speak with Matthew in the hopes of learning Graham’s location; an extensive search has turned up almost no trace of her. Police have collected evidence from Matthew’s car and apartment. Longo said that prosecutors decided to press charges against Matthew after reviewing evidence from experts at the crime lab in Richmond, but he did not say what investigators found or whether it included Graham’s DNA. | Police want to speak with Matthew in the hopes of learning Graham’s location; an extensive search has turned up almost no trace of her. Police have collected evidence from Matthew’s car and apartment. Longo said that prosecutors decided to press charges against Matthew after reviewing evidence from experts at the crime lab in Richmond, but he did not say what investigators found or whether it included Graham’s DNA. |
| An arrest warrant for Matthew, issued Tuesday and released Wednesday, said only that he was wanted for “abduction with intent to defile,” a felony charge that carries a potential maximum life sentence upon conviction. Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Warner D. “Dave” Chapman declined to comment Wednesday. | An arrest warrant for Matthew, issued Tuesday and released Wednesday, said only that he was wanted for “abduction with intent to defile,” a felony charge that carries a potential maximum life sentence upon conviction. Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Warner D. “Dave” Chapman declined to comment Wednesday. |
| Virginia defense lawyers said Wednesday that such cases can be built on circumstantial evidence — using DNA from semen, saliva, blood and hair found among an alleged assailant’s belongings — along with witness accounts of interactions between the two people and other evidence such as video surveillance. Lawyers said an incapacitated victim — one who is drunk, on drugs or unconscious — could be seen as unable to say yes to traveling somewhere or participating in a sex act, even if that person were with someone voluntarily at the start. | Virginia defense lawyers said Wednesday that such cases can be built on circumstantial evidence — using DNA from semen, saliva, blood and hair found among an alleged assailant’s belongings — along with witness accounts of interactions between the two people and other evidence such as video surveillance. Lawyers said an incapacitated victim — one who is drunk, on drugs or unconscious — could be seen as unable to say yes to traveling somewhere or participating in a sex act, even if that person were with someone voluntarily at the start. |
| But that “intent” can be difficult to prove, as prosecutors must present evidence that an alleged attacker abducted a victim planning “some sort of sexual molestation afterwards,” said Alexandria criminal defense attorney Jeffrey Zimmerman, who is not involved in the case. He said that can be a heavy burden that requires proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, “what the defendant was thinking of doing, what they intended to do.” | But that “intent” can be difficult to prove, as prosecutors must present evidence that an alleged attacker abducted a victim planning “some sort of sexual molestation afterwards,” said Alexandria criminal defense attorney Jeffrey Zimmerman, who is not involved in the case. He said that can be a heavy burden that requires proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, “what the defendant was thinking of doing, what they intended to do.” |
| Graham, of Fairfax County, was last seen shortly after 1 a.m. Sept. 13 with Matthew, who had his arm around her, police said. Witnesses at the Tempo restaurant adjacent to the city’s Downtown Mall saw Graham outside the establishment and then saw her leave with Matthew on foot. Police said that they think Graham was later in Matthew’s car but that they do not know what happened to her after that. | Graham, of Fairfax County, was last seen shortly after 1 a.m. Sept. 13 with Matthew, who had his arm around her, police said. Witnesses at the Tempo restaurant adjacent to the city’s Downtown Mall saw Graham outside the establishment and then saw her leave with Matthew on foot. Police said that they think Graham was later in Matthew’s car but that they do not know what happened to her after that. |
| Graham’s close friend Hallie Pence, 21, a U-Va. junior, said that Matthew’s arrest “brings us one step closer to getting answers, and we all need answers right now because the unknown is scary. It brings us one step closer to finding Hannah and getting her home.” | Graham’s close friend Hallie Pence, 21, a U-Va. junior, said that Matthew’s arrest “brings us one step closer to getting answers, and we all need answers right now because the unknown is scary. It brings us one step closer to finding Hannah and getting her home.” |
| Matthew hired Camblos to represent him over the weekend after briefly meeting with police, and police said Matthew left the area shortly after they let him go absent grounds to arrest him. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Matthew was the focus of a multi-state search. | Matthew hired Camblos to represent him over the weekend after briefly meeting with police, and police said Matthew left the area shortly after they let him go absent grounds to arrest him. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Matthew was the focus of a multi-state search. |
| Camblos, who served as the Albemarle County and Waynesboro prosecutor for more than two decades and returned to private practice this year, declined to discuss his client or the case when contacted Tuesday and Wednesday. | Camblos, who served as the Albemarle County and Waynesboro prosecutor for more than two decades and returned to private practice this year, declined to discuss his client or the case when contacted Tuesday and Wednesday. |
| Longtime Charlottesville defense attorney Scott Goodman said that he faced off against Camblos “hundreds of times” in court when Camblos was a prosecutor. Goodman said that he holds Camblos in high regard, noting that he won a majority of his cases as the commonwealth’s attorney in Albemarle County. | Longtime Charlottesville defense attorney Scott Goodman said that he faced off against Camblos “hundreds of times” in court when Camblos was a prosecutor. Goodman said that he holds Camblos in high regard, noting that he won a majority of his cases as the commonwealth’s attorney in Albemarle County. |
| Goodman, who is not involved in the case and spoke generally about such charges, said abduction prosecutions are usually built around three possible scenarios: a confession from a defendant, an eyewitness who can say an alleged attacker took a victim against that person’s will, and circumstantial evidence, such as DNA or other physical indications of an attack, such as torn clothing or injuries. | Goodman, who is not involved in the case and spoke generally about such charges, said abduction prosecutions are usually built around three possible scenarios: a confession from a defendant, an eyewitness who can say an alleged attacker took a victim against that person’s will, and circumstantial evidence, such as DNA or other physical indications of an attack, such as torn clothing or injuries. |
| Goodman said a case built on circumstantial evidence is “the harder route to add up beyond a reasonable doubt,” but that he believed the commonwealth’s attorney probably would not have sought an arrest warrant unless he was confident that the government had a strong case. | Goodman said a case built on circumstantial evidence is “the harder route to add up beyond a reasonable doubt,” but that he believed the commonwealth’s attorney probably would not have sought an arrest warrant unless he was confident that the government had a strong case. |
| “He doesn’t want to have a case he’s not going to win,” Goodman said. “He’s not going to do it if it’s half-baked.” | “He doesn’t want to have a case he’s not going to win,” Goodman said. “He’s not going to do it if it’s half-baked.” |
| Goodman said that the specific charge against Matthew — abduction with intent to defile — hints that the case will rely on forensic evidence. He also said Matthew’s apparent flight could be used against him in court, even if he left before he was facing charges. | Goodman said that the specific charge against Matthew — abduction with intent to defile — hints that the case will rely on forensic evidence. He also said Matthew’s apparent flight could be used against him in court, even if he left before he was facing charges. |
| “This does hurt the case to be absconding, to be fleeing justice,” Goodman said. | “This does hurt the case to be absconding, to be fleeing justice,” Goodman said. |
| Goodman was not surprised that police publicly put pressure on Matthew before they had enough evidence to charge him. | Goodman was not surprised that police publicly put pressure on Matthew before they had enough evidence to charge him. |
| “They want them to make a mistake because it’s unnerving to be the object of wanted posters and daily press conferences that call you to come in,” Goodman said. “It unnerves an average person. . . . It’s a tactic they teach in police school. It’s legal. . . . There’s nothing wrong with the police using every trick in the toolbox.” | “They want them to make a mistake because it’s unnerving to be the object of wanted posters and daily press conferences that call you to come in,” Goodman said. “It unnerves an average person. . . . It’s a tactic they teach in police school. It’s legal. . . . There’s nothing wrong with the police using every trick in the toolbox.” |
| The charge against Matthew carries a sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison. Generally, prosecutors must prove a sexual component beyond the abduction, said Alexandria defense attorney Joe King. | The charge against Matthew carries a sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison. Generally, prosecutors must prove a sexual component beyond the abduction, said Alexandria defense attorney Joe King. |
| The charge is more severe — and requires more proof — than simple abduction, which requires prosecutors to show only that a person was taken against his or her will or was prevented from going somewhere, King said. In proving abduction with intent to defile, prosecutors must show that the abductor intended to do something else with the victim — usually something sexual in nature, King said. | The charge is more severe — and requires more proof — than simple abduction, which requires prosecutors to show only that a person was taken against his or her will or was prevented from going somewhere, King said. In proving abduction with intent to defile, prosecutors must show that the abductor intended to do something else with the victim — usually something sexual in nature, King said. |
| There is another path to proving the charge: if prosecutors can show that a person was abducted for ransom, King said. But he said that because officials in this case used the “defile” language, that probably indicates that they believe the intent of the abduction was sexual. | There is another path to proving the charge: if prosecutors can show that a person was abducted for ransom, King said. But he said that because officials in this case used the “defile” language, that probably indicates that they believe the intent of the abduction was sexual. |
| King said, too, that the sexual assault “doesn’t have to be completed” to substantiate the charge. “You can have abduction with intent to defile if a person is abducted and that person fights and gets away, and you could still potentially make the charge,” he said. | King said, too, that the sexual assault “doesn’t have to be completed” to substantiate the charge. “You can have abduction with intent to defile if a person is abducted and that person fights and gets away, and you could still potentially make the charge,” he said. |
| Police have not said what they think indicates that Matthew intended to assault Graham. | Police have not said what they think indicates that Matthew intended to assault Graham. |
| Those close to Matthew have said they know him as a “gentle giant” who prayed at a local church, worked in the U-Va. hospital caring for patients and volunteered with a high school as a football coach. Matthew is well known along Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. | Those close to Matthew have said they know him as a “gentle giant” who prayed at a local church, worked in the U-Va. hospital caring for patients and volunteered with a high school as a football coach. Matthew is well known along Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. |
| University officials said that Matthew, who worked at the U-Va. hospital as a patient technician in the operating room since August 2012, was suspended without pay after he was charged this week. Officials at the Charlottesville Yellow Cab company said that Matthew drove a taxi for the company before a 2012 change of ownership. | University officials said that Matthew, who worked at the U-Va. hospital as a patient technician in the operating room since August 2012, was suspended without pay after he was charged this week. Officials at the Charlottesville Yellow Cab company said that Matthew drove a taxi for the company before a 2012 change of ownership. |
| Matthew attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., from 2000 to 2002, and played as a defensive lineman on the school’s football team. He moved to Christopher Newport University in January 2003 and left on Oct. 15, 2003, according to the university in Newport News. He was a member of the football team from Aug. 14, 2003 to Sept. 12, 2003. | Matthew attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., from 2000 to 2002, and played as a defensive lineman on the school’s football team. He moved to Christopher Newport University in January 2003 and left on Oct. 15, 2003, according to the university in Newport News. He was a member of the football team from Aug. 14, 2003 to Sept. 12, 2003. |
| “Students don’t usually leave in the second month of the semester or leave the football team within a month,” said Lori Jacobs, Christopher Newport’s director of public relations. “However, federal student record privacy laws (FERPA) limit the information we can provide. The University is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies.” | “Students don’t usually leave in the second month of the semester or leave the football team within a month,” said Lori Jacobs, Christopher Newport’s director of public relations. “However, federal student record privacy laws (FERPA) limit the information we can provide. The University is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies.” |
| Matthew used his football experience to work as a part-time volunteer coach at the private Christian Covenant School in Charlottesville since August. Matthew “is no longer associated with the school in any capacity,” headmaster George Sanker said Wednesday. | Matthew used his football experience to work as a part-time volunteer coach at the private Christian Covenant School in Charlottesville since August. Matthew “is no longer associated with the school in any capacity,” headmaster George Sanker said Wednesday. |
| Flaherty and Jouvenal reported from Washington. Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report. |