Harrington said after a court appearance by Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr.at Albemarle County Circuit Court, she approached Matthew’s mother. “I think she was surprised, and I think she was receptive”.
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He was recently charged with the murder of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, who disappeared from Charlottesville in 2009. Matthew’s mother thanked Harrington.
In the Harrington case, the judge and attorney will discuss what happens next and possibly set a trial date. Two to three weeks have been set aside.
Judge Cheryl Higgins also denied two defense motions in the Graham case, including the one requesting information on the grand jury that indicted Matthew for Graham’s death.
Attorneys in the Fairfax case are asking the judge to consider Matthew’s hard upbringing ahead of the sentencing.
However, Higgins did approve a defense request to file future motions in the Graham case under seal.
On Tuesday in northern Virginia, a former girlfriend of Matthew said he was raped as a child.
Although Harrington was killed in 2009, Matthew wasn’t charged in her death and disappearance until earlier this month.
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Before Wednesday’s hearings, Gil Harrington told reporters she wants Matthew to plead guilty in both murder cases he faces in order to spare the families involved, including his own. He will be sentenced Friday in that case and could get life in prison.
