Lawyer in prep-school sex-assault case: Defense wasn’t ideal
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A lawyer who represented a New Hampshire prep school graduate at his sexual assault trial says the defense team’s work wasn’t ideal.
Owen Labrie, of Tunbridge, Vermont, was convicted in 2015 of misdemeanor sexual assault and child endangerment, but acquitted of rape, for his encounter with a 15-year-old classmate in a game of sexual conquest at St. Paul’s School in Concord. He also was convicted of a felony computer charge that requires him to register as a sex offender for life.
Labrie is now seeking a new trial, arguing his lawyers harmed his case in part by failing to challenge the felony charge earlier.
On Thursday, attorney Samir Zaganjori said waiting to challenge the charge until after the verdict was not “ideal representation” but he said overall Labrie received effective counsel.
