CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Lawyers for Jesse Matthew, the man accused of abducting and killing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham last September, have asked the judge to release the names and addresses of grand jury members who indicted Matthew on abduction and murder charges.
The defense attorneys said they requested the information to help determine whether or not the grand jury selection was constitutional.
In a second motion filed to the court, Matthew's defense team asked the court to appoint an expert to perform a prison violence risk assessment on Matthew.
If Matthew is convicted of Graham's murder, prosecutors will seek the death penalty. Matthew's lawyers said prosecutors would argue Matthew would likely be violent in prison should he receive a life sentence. His lawyers believe an expert may be able to convince a jury that the risk of Matthew committing acts of violence while serving a life prison sentence would be low.
Matthew is scheduled to go on trial for the abduction and murder of Hannah Graham in July.
