Story highlights Jesse Matthew Jr. is charged with first-degree murder, a prosecutor says

University of Virginia student Hannah Graham went missing in September

(CNN) A man suspected in last year's killing of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham has been charged with first-degree murder in the case, a prosecutor told reporters Tuesday.

The murder charge against Jesse Matthew Jr. comes in addition to a count of abduction with intent to defile filed against him previously, Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford said.

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"These indictments signal the beginning of the next phase in what has been an incredibly difficult process for the family of Hannah Graham, for our community and for the men and women of the many departments and agencies who have worked on this matter since September of last year," Lunsford said.

Lunsford's team decided not to charge Matthew with capital murder, which could have led to a death sentence if he were convicted. Lunsford said she wouldn't give details on what led to that decision, except to say that a "great deal of serious thought" went into it.

Those considerations included "the impact on the community, the Grahams, and the need to provide Mr. Matthew with a fair trial."

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