Hi everyone. Thanks for joining us. If you have questions for Neal or Mike, feel free to submit them now. Or, ask them live at 7 p.m. during our live chat.
Hello, everyone. Mike Murillo and I are in place for a 7pm news conference. I'll be live tweeting the statement and Q&A, then take your questions. Thanks for being a part of tonight's chat.
.@MikeMurilloWTOP and I are standing by for the newser
Hi everyone -- Thanks for joining us tonight. We're about to begin our live chat and we've got some questions already.
Neal Augenstein and Mike Murillo at the news conference about to begin regarding the case. I'm going to go ahead and send them some of your questions.
His grandmother has said he's a good guy who would never hurt anyone. Mike Murillo and I tried to reach Jesse Matthew through Fcebook, with no response.
Apologies. We had technical issues, and there's been a major development
Jesse Matthew has been charged with Abduction with Intent to Defile. Hannah Graham is still missing.
Chief Tim Longo says the commonwealths attorney made the decision to charge this afternooN
On Saturday he was only charged with reckless driving so "manhunt" wouldn't be appropriate. Police say they only have so many resources for a driving charge.
Chief Tim Longo didn't take questions tonight, except to answer the question of whether police were still searching for Hannah. His answer was yes, emphatically
Police have not discussed anything they found. With the charge of attempt to defile, it's clear police have recovered some evidence that would lead to that charge.
Thanks, LF1: police have not described any evidence they've found. Obviously, attempt to defile requires certain criminal acts.
Thanks, Val. Police tell me he drove away with his mother in the car.
LF1: Interesting read. I'd imagine police and prosecutors have something a little more concrete than a touch.
Thanks Emily. Still no info on where Jesse Matthew is--at least that police are sharing. Chief has said he could be anywhere
What are the plans to continue searching for Hannah Graham or is it the assumption she is with Jessee Matthew?
Please describe the "official" and community attendees in the room...
Did they say when the next time would be when they would give us more information?
Em, while police have warned against tunnel vision, at this point they're only focusing on Jesse Matthew
CLC-- I'm not sure who was in the room. This was a hastily called news conference and to be honest, everyone (me included) was scrambling to get in place
Adler-- it's not clear when more info will be forthcoming. I'm not clear on whether police received their forensics results from the state lab. It wasn't looking like they were going to get it late in the afternoon
Monica --good question. There are lots of technical ways to track and monitor. Virginia State Police and FBI were tailing JM, but at time he was only wanted on reckless driving so had limited resources. Police are saying they did the best they could, given circumstances.
Hi, Brigid. Police aren't closing off possibilities, but Jesse Matthew is the focus.
Melanie asked on our live blog: We know Hannah's cell phone was on at the time of her disappearance. Have police indicated anything about tower pings to help narrow the search area?
Good question, Melanie. Police are working with phone companies in tracking her movements. Her phone has not been recovered.
Law freak, when the charges come out, let's touch base to see how your theories panned out. Appreciate the input!
§ 18.2-48. Abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose.
Abduction (i) of any person with the intent to extort money or pecuniary benefit, (ii) of any person with intent to defile such person, (iii) of any child under sixteen years of age for the purpose of concubinage or prostitution, (iv) of any person for the purpose of prostitution, or (v) of any minor for the purpose of manufacturing child pornography shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony. If the sentence imposed for a violation of (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) includes a term of confinement less than life imprisonment, the judge shall impose, in addition to any active sentence, a suspended sentence of no less than 40 years. This suspended sentence shall be suspended for the remainder of the defendant's life subject to revocation by the court.
To the best of my knowledge (as a reporter, not a lawyer, this is the Virginia code for the charge
SB-- I'm sure any lawyer would recommend him turning himself in, especially since there's a wanted poster and a "manhunt"
Phil-- I don't think he had much medical training -- he transported people to surgery. That said, police are talking to Matthew's employer
Curt -- besides them walking together on the mall? Police may have other surveillance videos they haven't shared.
Gwalum -- unclear what clothing was recovered, and who it belonged to
Last question, police are asking me to leave this room
This is important. I just confirmed police received the forensics report, which led to the defile charge
B -- police cases are made and broken on evidence. They now have the forensics evidence, which led to the defile charge. Bottom line, police still need to find Hannah Graham
We're wrapping up now.
Thanks for participating everyone. Please check back to WTOP for as-they-happen updates on this story.
Thank you all for these great questions. Talk soon. Hit me up on Twitter, @AugensteinWTOP. Night all
Hi everyone. Thanks for joining us. If you have questions for Neal or Mike, feel free to submit them now. Or, ask them live at 7 p.m. during our live chat.
Hello, everyone. Mike Murillo and I are in place for a 7pm news conference. I'll be live tweeting the statement and Q&A, then take your questions. Thanks for being a part of tonight's chat.
Has the person of interest or his family issued any statement whatsoever about his presumed innocence (until officially charged) or accounted for his actions on the night in question?
