Jesse Matthew Due in Court on Wednesday

Matthew is scheduled to appear in an Albemarle County court Wednesday, for a motions hearing in the Harrington case. “I know this is incredibly hard for you, and I hold no ill will against you”. Outside the courthouse, Gil Harrington (pictured with Dan Harrington) told reporters, “There’s nothing they are accused of”.

Matthew was in court Wednesday for hearings on two murder cases.

Matthew was charged for Harrington’s disappearance and murder two weeks ago.

Attorneys for Matthew are asking a judge to consider his hard upbringing ahead of his sentencing this week. He could get life in prison.

Higgins did approve a motion by Matthew’s attorneys to allow them to file motions under temporary seal in order to prevent potential witnesses from being subjected to intense media scrutiny prior to hearings before the trial. Earlier this year, Matthew was convicted in Fairfax County of sexual assault for an attack on a woman in 2005. He’s expected to be sentenced in October.

According to a letter to the judge that was released Tuesday, a former girlfriend said Matthew was raped as a child.

Matthew also had a status hearing on the Morgan Harrington murder case, during which he waived his right to a speedy trial.

“It would be the most merciful to all the families involved”, she said.