Jesse Matthew, who could eventually face a death penalty in the slaying of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, has formally pleaded not guilty in a separate prosecution that could send him to prison for life.
Trial began today for the 33-year-old Matthew in Fairfax, where he is charged with attempted capital murder, abduction and sexual assault in connection with a 2005 attack.
Matthew, wearing a dress shirt and yellow tie, entered his plea in a soft-spoken voice.
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Matthew was charged in the long-unsolved Fairfax case last year after his arrest in connection with Graham's disappearance yielded a hit on DNA evidence.
The victim in the Fairfax case has flown back from India to testify against him.
A pool of 100 potential jurors was called for today's jury selection.
