Day 2 in Jesse Matthew Trial to Focus on DNA Link

Alex Beall
WMAL.com

FAIRFAX (WMAL) — The trial for Jesse Matthew began Monday with an emotional testimony from the woman who says he tried to rape her. The second day will look at DNA evidence connecting Matthew to the attack.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence will play a large role in the case against 33-year-old Matthew. The DNA link emerged when he was named as a suspect in last year’s kidnapping and death of University of Virginia student, Hannah Graham.

The woman’s testimony included a detailed account of the 2005 attack. She said during her testimony that she did scratch her attacker.

Prosecutors claimed the DNA from under her fingernails matched that of Matthew.

Matthew is charged with attempted capital murder, abduction and sexual assault in this case.

The jury also heard testimony from Mark Raul Castro, the man who helped the woman immediately following the attack. He described finding a young woman, who was nearly dead and covered in blood, yet trying to scream.

Castro continued that he tried looking for the attacker, but couldn’t find him.