Attorney for UVa. Suspect Jesse Matthew Requests Psychiatric Evaluation at Fairfax Court Hearing

An attorney for the man accused of kidnapping University of Virginia student Hannah Graham is asking that his client undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Jesse Matthew, 32, appeared in Fairfax County court Friday morning for an arraignment in a separate case. He was indicted earlier this month on three felony charges in connection with a Sept. 24, 2005 sexual assault on a 26-year-old woman who was walking home from the grocery store in Fairfax.

The victim told police that a man grabbed her from behind and dragged her into a wooded area, where he sexually assaulted her. The attacker fled the area when he was startled by another person walking by.

Matthew has been charged in that case with abduction with attempt to defile, and sexual penetration with an object.

Authorities have said the assault was linked by DNA to the disappearance of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington. Fairfax authorities charged Matthew shortly after authorities linked the Harrington case to Graham's abduction.

Graham's remains were found Oct. 18.

Matthew's attorney, James Camblos, was by his client's side on video Friday morning as a Fairfax judge read the charges against Matthew, who is in custody in Albemarle County.

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The judge also asked about Matthew's financial status. Matthew replied that he is unemployed, and has no income and no assets.

The judge then appointed a Fairfax public defender as Matthew's lead counsel. Camblos, Matthew's attorney in Albemarle County, will serve as co-counsel in the Fairfax case.

Matthew did not enter a plea Friday morning because he did not have time to consult with his new lead counsel. A status hearing has been set for the morning of Nov. 14.

The judge will also appoint another judge to hear Camblos' motion for the psychiatric evaluation.

Authorities have said that forensic evidence links Matthew to the 2005 Fairfax assault and the 2009 slaying of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, as well as Graham's case.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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