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Suspect in U-Va. case linked to earlier assault via DNA from victim’s fingernail Suspect in U-Va. case linked to earlier assault via DNA from victim’s fingernail
(35 minutes later)
The man accused of abducting University of Virginia student Hannah Graham has been linked to a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax County via DNA evidence collected from one of the victim’s fingernails, according to court records.The man accused of abducting University of Virginia student Hannah Graham has been linked to a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax County via DNA evidence collected from one of the victim’s fingernails, according to court records.
The Virginia Department of Forensic Science’s comparison of DNA taken from Jesse L. Matthew Jr. and the sample taken from the woman at the time of the attack concluded that there is a 1 in greater than 7.2 billion chance the DNA might belong to another person, according to the court records. Such a scientific finding, which eliminates almost the entire world population outside of Matthew, is likely to be central to the criminal case against him. The Virginia Department of Forensic Science’s comparison of DNA taken from Jesse L. Matthew Jr. and the sample taken from the woman at the time of the attack concluded that there is a “1 in greater than 7.2 billion” chance the DNA might belong to another person, according to the court records. Such a scientific finding, which eliminates almost the entire world population outside of Matthew, is likely to be central to the criminal case against him.
The analysis was performed in late October, following Matthew’s indictment on several charges related to the Sept. 24, 2005 attack on a 26-year-old woman in Fairfax City, court records show.The analysis was performed in late October, following Matthew’s indictment on several charges related to the Sept. 24, 2005 attack on a 26-year-old woman in Fairfax City, court records show.
The woman was walking home from a supermarket around 10 p.m. when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her, authorities have said. The attacker carried the woman to a nearby wooded area, where he sexually assaulted her. The man fled when someone passing by startled him.The woman was walking home from a supermarket around 10 p.m. when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her, authorities have said. The attacker carried the woman to a nearby wooded area, where he sexually assaulted her. The man fled when someone passing by startled him.
The sample collected from the victim jibes with a description of the attack sources provided to The Washington Post. They said the woman vigorously fought her attacker and that she may have scratched his face during the encounter; they initially described the suspect as possibly having scratches. Skin cells and blood from a facial scratch can provide enough evidence for a DNA match.The sample collected from the victim jibes with a description of the attack sources provided to The Washington Post. They said the woman vigorously fought her attacker and that she may have scratched his face during the encounter; they initially described the suspect as possibly having scratches. Skin cells and blood from a facial scratch can provide enough evidence for a DNA match.
Attempts to reach the victim in the Fairfax City case have been unsuccessful. The Post generally does not identify victims of sex crimes.Attempts to reach the victim in the Fairfax City case have been unsuccessful. The Post generally does not identify victims of sex crimes.
Matthew, 32, of the Charlottesville area, has been charged with attempted capital murder, abduction with intent to defile and sexual penetration with an object in the case.Matthew, 32, of the Charlottesville area, has been charged with attempted capital murder, abduction with intent to defile and sexual penetration with an object in the case.
Matthew was arrested in Texas in September on charges related to the Graham case, following a massive search for him. Graham, 18, of Fairfax County, disappeared after she got lost during a night on the town in Charlottesville. Surveillance video showed Matthew following her and with his arm around her.Matthew was arrested in Texas in September on charges related to the Graham case, following a massive search for him. Graham, 18, of Fairfax County, disappeared after she got lost during a night on the town in Charlottesville. Surveillance video showed Matthew following her and with his arm around her.
Graham’s body was found on an abandoned property outside of Charlottesville in mid-October. Matthew has been charged with abduction with intent to defile in her case. Medical examiners have not released a cause of death.Graham’s body was found on an abandoned property outside of Charlottesville in mid-October. Matthew has been charged with abduction with intent to defile in her case. Medical examiners have not released a cause of death.
James L. Camblos III, who is representing Matthew in the Fairfax and Graham cases, declined to comment on the DNA evidence because he had not seen the analysis. Dawn Butorac, the Fairfax County Deputy Public Defender and co-counsel, also declined to comment.James L. Camblos III, who is representing Matthew in the Fairfax and Graham cases, declined to comment on the DNA evidence because he had not seen the analysis. Dawn Butorac, the Fairfax County Deputy Public Defender and co-counsel, also declined to comment.
Authorities had previously said forensic evidence also linked the Fairfax City sexual assault to the disappearance of another college student, Morgan Harrington. Harrington disappeared after leaving a Metallica concert on the campus of the University of Virginia in October 2009. Her body was discovered months later on a farm southwest of Charlottesville.Authorities had previously said forensic evidence also linked the Fairfax City sexual assault to the disappearance of another college student, Morgan Harrington. Harrington disappeared after leaving a Metallica concert on the campus of the University of Virginia in October 2009. Her body was discovered months later on a farm southwest of Charlottesville.
Sources have told The Post that the cases were tied by DNA evidence.Sources have told The Post that the cases were tied by DNA evidence.
Matthew’s next appearance in the Fairfax City case is scheduled for Nov. 14.Matthew’s next appearance in the Fairfax City case is scheduled for Nov. 14.