Jesse Matthew charged with murder in Hannah Graham case

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Jesse Matthew, suspected of abducting slain University of Virginia sophomore Hannah Graham, is now facing charges in her death, officials said Tuesday.

Matthew was indicted on first-degree murder charges and a charge of abduction with intent to defile, Denise Lunsford, the commonwealth's attorney for Albemarle County, said at a press conference.

Lunsford said the prosecution will "bring Mr. Matthew to justice for these crimes committed against Hannah Graham, against her family and against our community."

Matthew had already been charged with abduction in the case of Graham, who disappeared after an off-campus party in September and was found dead in Albemarle County a few weeks later.

Matthew is not facing a capital murder charge in the case, Lunsford said. In Virginia, the punishment for capital murder includes the death penalty and the punishment for first-degree murder does not, reports CBS affiliate WTVR -- meaning Matthew isn't facing the death penalty.

In addition to the murder and abduction charges, Matthew was also indicted on two counts of reckless driving stemming from incidents in September of 2014, Lunsford said.

"These indictments signal the beginning of the next phase of what has been an incredibly different process for the family of Hannah Graham, for our community, and for the men and women of the many departments and agencies who have worked on this matter since September of last year," Lunsford said.

The team of law enforcement officials have dubbed themselves, "Team Hannah," Lunsford said.

Matthew is incarcerated in Fairfax County, north of Charlottesville, where he is facing attempted murder, rape, and sexual assault charges in a separate case from 2005, reported WTVR.

He's expected to have a first appearance on the newest charge in the Graham case Feb. 18. He'll appear via video in Albemarle County Circuit Court, Lunsford said.

Police have said forensic evidence also links Matthew to the 2009 disappearance and death of 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, whose body also was found in the county.

Lunsford said there are currently no charges pending against Matthew in the Harrington case.