Judge Higgins sets Jesse Matthew's trial for 2016
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Accused killer Jesse L. Matthew Jr. waited his right to a speedy trial so his legal team can challenge the state's evidence through as many as eight motions hearings that begin in August and last all the way to the trial date: July 5, 2016.
The parents of slain UVA student Hannah Graham were not present at the Albemarle Circuit Court, but Gil Harrington, the mother of another young woman whose death has been forensically linked to Matthew, expressed frustration.
"It made me feel like bursting into tears because I feel like this has gone on so long."
Matthew's legal team used Thursday's hearing to urge Judge Cheryl Higgins to recuse herself because her daughter was a UVA schoolmate of Hannah Graham's. Higgins declined, but did agree to let another judge review search warrants that she approved.
"The defense's job in part is to keep the pressure on the judge, to keep pressure on the prosecutor, to hope that they stumble."
That was legal analyst Scott Goodman. For WCVE News, Hawes Spencer in Charlottesville.
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Photo: Albemarle Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford is prosecuting this capital case.