Judge Declines To Suppress Evidence In Student Slaying Case

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- A judge has denied a defense motion to suppress some evidence in the case of a man charged with killing a University of Virginia student.

Media outlets report that Albemarle County Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins ruled Thursday against Jesse Matthew Jr., who is charged with capital murder in the 2014 disappearance and death of 18-year-old Hannah Graham.

Matthew's attorney asked Higgins to disallow some evidence collected during a search of the defendant's apartment. The items included a cellphone, a paycheck, khaki shorts, boxer shorts, a cigar tip, toothbrushes, a wallet and a receipt. Many of those items weren't listed on a search warrant. Higgins ruled that officers exercised reasonable discretion.

The 34-year-old Matthew also is charged with first-degree murder in the 2009 death of 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington.

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