(RICHMOND – WINA) The parents of the late Hannah Graham have joined a push to expand DNA testing, and contend a larger data bank could have saved their daughter’s life. Sue Graham is the mother of the 18-year-old University of Virginia student who was murdered three years ago. Graham made her appeal Wednesday to the State Crime Commission. She believes former Albemarle resident Jesse Matthew could have been in jail in 2014, instead of preying on the young women of Virginia.
Albemarle Sheriff Chip Harding and Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Tracci support adding trespassing and disorderly conduct to a list of offenses which require DNA samples. Harding sees many benefits to enlarging the DNA data bank. The State Crime Commission is exploring policy changes it can recommend to the 2018 General Assembly.
