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Verdict awaited in rape case involving Harvard freshman, teen girl at prep school

By Doug G. Ware

CONCORD, N.H., Aug. 27 (UPI) -- A jury of nine men and three women will again start deliberating Friday the rape case against a 19-year-old Harvard freshman who has been accused of raping a teen girl at a prestigious prep school in New Hampshire.

Owen Labrie has been accused in the case by a 16-year-old girl, who told police she was sexually assaulted by the defendant about a year ago inside a maintenance room at the St. Paul's School -- a lofty prep school that charges $50,000-per-year for tuition.

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During the trial, Labrie's attorney accused the girl of lying or exaggerating claims against the 19-year-old man, who is set to attend Harvard this fall, USA Today reported. He also called the case a "tragedy" for both his client and the teenage accuser.

Labrie has testified that actual sex never occurred -- just sexual touching that he says was consensual. The prosecutor, though, doesn't buy it -- and contended that Labrie simply didn't take "no" for an answer.

"We're here today because [she] said no, and he took what he wanted," prosecutor Joseph Cherniske told jurors in his closing argument. "In his own words, he wanted to 'slay' her. And on May 30, 2014, he turned his lust for a 15-year-old girl into a reality."

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The entire incident in question apparently was part of a tradition at St. Paul's School called "Senior Salute" -- in which a graduating student gets to spend time with a younger student.

The jury received the case Thursday -- after six days of trial -- and started initial deliberations. They will resume Friday morning.

Labrie's attorney reportedly said the jurors cannot trust the 16-year-old girl -- claiming she lied on the stand about talking to her friend about her sexual expectations that night.

Labrie faces three counts of aggravated felony sexual assault. He is also charged with three misdemeanor sexual assault counts. Other charges include assault and endangering a child and using a computer to solicit her.

If convicted, he could be classified as a sex offender and spend up to 20 years in prison.

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