Jesse Matthew pleads not guilty in 2005 Virginia attack

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.

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.