Jesse Matthew, Jr.
Hannah Graham
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ A man charged with abducting and killing a University of Virginia student won’t be allowed to wear personal clothing in court until his trial. Defense attorneys argued Thursday that Jesse Matthew Jr.’s case has already been prejudiced by news reports and courtroom sketches showing him shackled and wearing a jail-issued jumpsuit. They said he should be able to attend pretrial hearings unshackled and in personal clothes so he can more fully participate in his defense. Albemarle County Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins denied the motion, but said she would decide on a hearing-by-hearing basis whether Matthew’s restraints can be loosened enough to allow him to take notes. Matthew is charged with capital murder in the September 2014 disappearance and death of 18-year-old Hannah Graham. His trial is set for next summer.
