Owen Labrie Found Not Guilty of Felony Sexual Assault in Prep School Trial
By EMILY SHAPIRO and GIO BENITEZ
11 minutes ago
Good Morning America
Owen Labrie was found not guilty of felony sexual assault in a case at St. Paul's School, a prestigious New Hampshire prep school.
The jury of nine men and three women delivered a not guilty verdict on the three felony sexual assault charges on the second day of deliberations.
He also was found not guilty of simple assault, a misdemeanor.
Labrie was found guilty of four misdemeanors relating to sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He was also found guilty of one felony for using a computer to "seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child under the age of 16."
Prep School Rape Trial: Alleged 'Senior Salute' Victim Breaks Down in Tears on Stand
Jury Begins Deliberation in NH Prep School Rape Tr …. Play video
Prep School Rape Trial: Alleged Victim Tells Court She Was 'Wary' of 'Senior Salute' From Owen Labrie
Labrie, now 19, was accused of raping a fellow student in May 2014 at the school in Concord, New Hampshire. He was charged with multiple felonies relating to the encounter and had entered a not-guilty plea.
Labrie broke down halfway through the proceedings. After the jury left, he turned to look at his family with tears in his eyes and his hands over his mouth.
The girl's family had arms around her as she cried softly.
The girl's family said in a statement: "Today, a measure of justice has been served for victims of sexual violence. While he was not convicted on all charges, Owen Labrie was held accountable in some way by a jury of his peers for crimes he committed against our daughter. This conviction requires him to take ownership for his actions and gives him the opportunity to reflect upon the harm he has caused."
Owen Labrie Found Not Guilty of Felony Sexual Assault in Prep School Trial (ABC News)
The family added, "While we stood together as a family through this process, it was our young daughter who took the stand to speak the truth and request justice. We admire her bravery in coming forward and speaking out in the face of great adversity. It is truly her courage that has made this measure of justice possible today."
The alleged victim, whose name is being withheld because of the nature of the crime, testified last week. "I was raped!" she said loudly amid tears. "I was violated in so many ways."
When Labrie took the stand this week, he described their activity, which he said was mutual, but he denied having sex with her.
"It wouldn't have been a good move to have sex with this girl," he recalled thinking at the time when he said he and the alleged victim were making out in a school tower.
Prosecutor Catherine Ruffle said in court that the encounter at the center of the case was part of a "senior salute," a tradition at the prep school. Ruffle said that the "senior salute" practice was largely intended as a way for graduating seniors "to be with someone that they might have wanted to be with throughout" high school, and could include activities like walking to class together or kissing but "it might include a little bit more."
She also said some students believed Labrie and some of his friends had turned the tradition into a competition.
Poster Comment:
It sounds as if justice was served in this instance. Sometimes kids in high school can get a bit rambunctious.