The State prosecutor in the St. Paul’s sexual assault case is asking the judge to let the only felony conviction stand.
Former student Owen Labrie was found guilty of using his computer to seduce a minor. If the charge remains – Labrie could face up to seven years in prison and have to register as a sex offender for life.
The defense argues this law is intended for pedophiles trying to prey on young women and not for teenagers talking on Facebook. But in Thursday’s lengthy response the state argues the law does include people who are targeting others they know as well 18 and 19-year-olds, not just older adults.
The written response was more than double in length of the defense’s and included multiple emails between the defendant and the victim – in an effort to show how Labrie attempted to seduce the 15-year-old girl.
In August Labrie was found guilty of having sex with a minor but not guilty of aggravated sexual assault. The judge has until the sentencing hearing on October 29th to decide.
