Suspected serial killer charged in Detroit after 18 years

DETROIT (WJBK) - A suspected serial killer is finally back in Detroit facing charges for sexual assault and murder, crimes that allegedly happened back in 2000 and 2003.

Prosecutors say 65-year-old James Matthews is charged with first-degree murder, which is punishable by life in prison without parole.

Matthews had been living in New York and was extradited to Michigan to face the charges. Now he's not going anywhere.

Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Ciaffone said Matthews is also charged with criminal sexual conduct.

"As the court just indicated it's two separate but very serious cases here against him," she said.

Matthews was the suspect in a sexual assault where it's alleged that he restrained the victim in his home with a knife but she escaped.

Matthews was arrested but the case was closed when the alleged victim was unavailable for a police interview.

Prosecutors say in January new forensic evidence was developed in the case. That also led them to re-open the 2003 homicide case where a woman was found strangled on the front lawn next to Matthew's home in Detroit.

In court, he shook his head and appeared confused.

"I understand your honor but I don't know what's going on," he said.

Police say these aren't Matthews' only crimes. He's also suspected of two murders in Michigan, one in New York and three in Texas. All the victims were women.

"The serious nature of both of the offenses, separate serious offenses make this individual a danger to society, most specifically to women," Ciaffone said.

The judge ordered Matthews to be held without bond.