Hearing resumes on new trial request in prep school case
Posted February 22, 2017 6:00 am
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A hearing resumes Wednesday in New Hampshire on whether a prep school graduate convicted of using a computer to lure a girl for sex deserves a new trial.
Owen Labrie (lah-BREE'), of Tunbridge, Vermont, was acquitted in 2015 of raping a 15-year-old classmate as part of a game of sexual conquest at St. Paul's School in Concord. He was convicted of misdemeanor sexual assault and child endangerment, as well as a felony computer charge that requires him to register as a sex offender for life.
Labrie claims his trial lawyers harmed his case in several ways, including by failing to challenge the felony charge.
The hearing on his request for a new trial began Tuesday and resumes Wednesday with cross-examination of attorney Jaye Rancourt, who served as his local counsel.
Attorney Jaye Rancourt testifies during an evidentiary hearing on whether Owen Labrie will be granted a retrial at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, N.H., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Labrie, a prep school graduate convicted of using a computer to lure an underage girl for sex, returned to court Tuesday for a hearing on whether his lawyers damaged his case. (Elizabeth Frantz/The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Owen Labrie, 21, is seen during an evidentiary hearing on whether he will be granted a retrial at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, N.H., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Labrie, a prep school graduate convicted of using a computer to lure an underage girl for sex returned to court Tuesday for a hearing on whether his lawyers damaged his case. (Elizabeth Frantz/The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Owen Labrie, 21, speaks with his attorney, Robin Melone, during an evidentiary hearing on whether Labrie will be granted a retrial at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, N.H., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Labrie, a prep school graduate convicted of using a computer to lure an underage girl for sex returned to court Tuesday for a hearing on whether his lawyers damaged his case. (Elizabeth Frantz/The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Judge Larry M. Smukler makes a ruling during the first day of a hearing on whether Owen Labrie deserves a new trial, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 in Concord, N.H. Labrie claims his trial lawyers failed to challenge the felony charge. He was acquitted in 2015 of raping a 15-year-old classmate as part of a game of sexual conquest at St. Paul's School but was convicted of a felony computer charge requiring him to register as a sex offender. (Geoff Forester /The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Owen Labrie, 21, returns to his seat during an evidentiary hearing on whether he will be granted a retrial at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, N.H., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Labrie, a prep school graduate convicted of using a computer to lure an underage girl for sex returned to court Tuesday for a hearing on whether his lawyers damaged his case. (Elizabeth Frantz/The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Owen Labrie, 21, is seen during an evidentiary hearing on whether he will be granted a retrial at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, N.H., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. A prep school graduate convicted of using a computer to lure an underage girl for sex returned to court Tuesday for a hearing on whether his lawyers damaged his case. (Elizabeth Frantz/The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Owen Labrie's attorney Robin Melone questions a witness during an evidentiary hearing on whether Labrie will be granted a retrial at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, N.H., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Labrie, a prep school graduate convicted of using a computer to lure an underage girl for sex returned to court Tuesday for a hearing on whether his lawyers damaged his case. (Elizabeth Frantz/The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Attorney Robin Malone and her client Owen Labrie look over documents at the first day of a hearing on whether Labrie deserves a new trial, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 in Concord, N.H. Labrie claims his trial lawyers failed to challenge the felony charge. He was acquitted in 2015 of raping a 15-year-old classmate as part of a game of sexual conquest at St. Paul's School but was convicted of a felony computer charge requiring him to register as a sex offender. (Geoff Forester /The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Owen Labrie listens to testimony on the first day of a hearing on whether he deserves a new trial, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 in Concord, N.H. Labrie claims his trial lawyers failed to challenge the felony charge. He was acquitted in 2015 of raping a 15-year-old classmate as part of a game of sexual conquest at St. Paul's School but was convicted of a felony computer charge requiring him to register as a sex offender. (Geoff Forester /The Concord Monitor via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
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