Prep school grad in sex assault case asks for new trial
Associated PressCONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire’s Supreme Court heard biting criticism of an elite prep school graduate’s star-studded legal team Wednesday as his lawyer argued he deserved a new trial following his conviction for using a computer to lure an underage student for sex. Christopher Johnson, a lawyer for Labrie, argued Wednesday that his trial lawyers were ineffective for a slew of reasons, including failing to mount a defense against the computer charge or effectively communicate that Labrie had no intention of having sex with Chessy Prout when he sent her the messages. Prout, now 20, has since become an advocate for sexual assault survivors and co-wrote a memoir, “I Have The Right To: A High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope,” with Boston Globe journalist Jenn Abelson. “In so doing, they didn’t provide ineffective counsel, particularly because the defendant was acquitted of the most serious charges he was facing.” Several judges appeared to be sympathetic to that argument, questioning whether this was more a complaint about the trial strategy undertaken by Carney — focused on the credibility of Prout and Labrie’s intentions — than his skills as a lawyer.
History of this topic
Court rejects new sex assault trial for prep school grad
Associated Press
Prep school graduate begins jail time for 2014 sex assault
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