WASHINGTON — Scientific testing by the FBI has cleared Hannah Graham suspect Jesse Matthew from being in the car of Alexis Murphy, the night the murdered Virginia teen disappeared in 2013.
Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Anthony Martin had asked the FBI for the testing of previously unidentified DNA found in Alexis Murphy’s 2003 Nissan Maxima, which was found in a movie theater parking lot in Albemarle County, three days after she disappeared on August 3, 2013.
Although Murphy’s body has never been found, Randy Allen Taylor was tried and convicted of her murder earlier this year.
Forensic evidence showed Murphy died after a violent struggle in Taylor’s camper.
Taylor’s attorney, Michael Hallahan, requested the testing after Matthew’s arrest, saying re-testing the previously unidentified DNA would not require more gathering of evidence.
According to Martin’s description of the FBI’s recent findings, “Matthew was excluded as the source of DNA from samples found on swabs from the Nissan’s driver’s side head rest, and the steering wheel.”
The FBI lab was not able to exclude Murphy’s father nor her brother.
In addition, a DNA scientist also compared Matthew’s DNA profile against evidence collected from inside Taylor’s camper and his GMC Suburban.
Martin says “Matthew again was excluded as a source of DNA from all of that evidence.”
Murphy’s aunt, Trina Murphy tells WTOP she “was not surprised in any way,” by the new findings.
“Randy Taylor is solely responsible for the disappearance of Alexis and it’s past time for him to do the right thing and tell us where she is,” said Murphy.
Even before this most recent testing, Martin had said Matthew was not involved in Murphy’s disappearance or death.
“In light of all the factors mentioned above and now the added scientific testing that has excluded Jesse Matthew, law enforcement affirms its earlier conclusion that there is no credible evidence linking Jesse Matthew to the abduction and murder of Alexis Murphy,” according to the statement from Martin’s office.
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