Hearing sends suspect to jury

The case of the suspect who allegedly entered the homes of 18 JMU female students will be sent to a grand jury.

A preliminary hearing for Arnold Adjetey, 23, of 1922 SunChase, was held on Friday in district court.

Police allege Adjetey broke into unlocked apartments around JMU between January 2003 and Aug. 19, 2004.

Adjetey is charged with 18 felony charges of breaking and entering and two misdemeanor charges of sexual battery.

Rachel Figura, a staff attorney of the Commonwealth District Attorney’s office who is in charge of the prosecution, said Adjetey chose not to testify at the preliminary hearing.

"The defense didn’t offer any evidence at the preliminary hearing," Figura said. However, 18 victims testified before a judge.

Before going to a circuit court, the case must be certified by a grand jury, Figura said. The grand jury will meet again on Dec. 20.

A prosecuting investigator, police officer and sometimes a victim can be present in front of the grand jury, but Figura said that only Harrisonburg Police Department investigator Mike Spiggle will be present for this specific case.

— from staff reports