Jesse Matthew enters new plea in ’05 Virginia sex assault

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2014 file photo Jesse Matthew Jr. looks toward the gallery while appearing in court in Fairfax, Va. A woman who authorities say was sexually assaulted by the same man charged with killing a University of Virginia student came face to face with her alleged attacker in a Fairfax courtroom Thursday. The encounter was brief, and the woman's testimony was focused on a narrow legal question, though she did testify that his face looked familiar. But it provided a preview of the courtroom drama expected next week, when a jury trial begins for 33-year-old Jesse Matthew. (AP Photo/The Washington Post, Bill O'Leary, Pool, File)

By Associated Press June 10, 2015 3 min read

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) – Jesse Matthew entered an Alford plea Wednesday on charges that he attacked and molested a woman in Virginia in 2005, acknowledging that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him without directly admitting any crime.

Matthew entered the form of a guilty plea to all three charges in the Fairfax case: attempted capital murder, abduction and sexual assault.

Matthew entered the plea without any deal with prosecutors, prosecutor Ray Morrogh said.

The plea means the jury will play no role in deciding Matthew’s sentence – it will be done solely by Judge David Schell. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2.

Morrogh said he was not yet ready to say what kind of sentence he will seek.