NEW HAMPSHIRE
MSNBC
By James Novogrod
CONCORD, New Hampshire — The accuser in the rape case that has raised questions about campus life at one of the country’s most elite prep schools took the stand Tuesday, breaking down in tears as she identified the man who she says assaulted her in a school building in May last year.
Nineteen-year-old Owen Labrie is accused of raping the then 15-year-old girl two days before his graduation from St. Paul’s School here in Concord.
The prosecutor in the case said in opening statements Monday that the assault occurred as a part of a school tradition called “Senior Salute,” in which members of the senior class allegedly seek sexual conquests with younger students.
Taking the stand late in the day, the accuser recounted how Labrie, then 18, sent her an email message proposing they spend time together. The girl, who was a freshman at the time, told the court that she turned the invitation down but reconsidered after being pressed by a fellow classmate.
Court adjourned as the girl’s testimony was still in progress. She is expected to resume her testimony Tuesday.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.