Suspect Jesse Matthew was captured in Texas this week after an intense manhunt and charged with abduction in the case of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham.
But as the search continues for 18-year-old Graham, criminal defense attorney Michael Cavalluzzi discusses the emotional reaction to the developments by Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy J. Longo.
During a press conference, Longo stated his opinion about Matthew, even before he was questioned or charged in the case. “In fact I believe that Jesse Matthew was the last person she was seen with before she vanished off the face of the earth, because it’s been a week and we can’t find her,” he told reporters, raising his voice.
“I think the chief of police here clearly is extremely emotional. This is a very, very sad and urgent story – he wants to do whatever he can to find Hannah Graham,” Cavalluzzi said about the police chief publicly naming Matthew even though he hadn’t been charged in connection with the disappearance.
“I think it’s a step too far, to be consistently connecting her with Jesse Matthew and you don’t really have evidence that he is really, truly connected with her disappearance,” he added. “And I think that it’s a little bit overly emotional and skirts beyond the bounds or real professionalism.”
Reports have said that Matthew initially came into the police station with relatives and asked for a lawyer and remained for a few minutes before police had a chance to get him a lawyer. He then left and sped off in his car and now there’s an arrest warrant for him for reckless driving.
“My understanding is that Jesse Matthew did speak briefly with the lawyer at the station, and after speaking with the lawyer briefly, he then turned around and left,” said Cavalluzzi.
The full episode also delves into the retrial penalty phase of convicted murderer Jodi Arias and discusses calls for newly crowned Miss America Kira Kazantsev to step down after evidence that she caused injuries to pledges during sorority hazing.
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