If anything, the defendant’s education, intelligence, and the other blessings he has had in his life, make me hold him to a higher standard, and definitely are not reasons for a light sentence. He had many opportunities along the way to stop his behaviors (including friends who counseled him to do so), but he chose not to do so. He lied on the witness stand and he attempted to destroy evidence (online messages).
@jonri, I guess I didn’t express myself as clearly as I should have. I don’t think that being smart or well-educated should excuse anyone from prison time, nor should socio-economic privilege. You comment that the victim was raped; that was actually not proven in court, hence why he was acquitted of the felony rape charge. Obviously, Labrie went after this underage girl with the hope of having sex and it’s obvious that something traumatic happened to her during their encounter. I agree that it took great courage for her to come forward. That being said, the only reason he will receive jail time or sex offender status is because he sent her the Senior Salute via email. The law that he is guilty of was not put in place to guard teenagers who are acquaintances from inviting each other to hookup via the internet and you know that as well as I do. It has been publicly stated on repeated occasions by legal experts that had Owen verbally solicited her presence, there would have been no charges AT ALL, since the jury found him not guilty of felony rape. He is being punished by a legal loophole and I think that’s wrong. Regarding community service…I think a kid with a great education would experience a truer sense of repentance by serving those in need than rotting in jail on a technicality. At any rate, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I’m not trying to change yours, just explaining mine.
Here’s the State’s sentencing memo (some pretty graphic language in here):
http://www.courts.state.nh.us/caseinfo/pdf/labrie/10292015labrie-memo.pdf
Actually, as I read through this it disgusts me further.
@catlady No…NO…NO…
I followed this trial closely. I did not hear a single attorney say that. You’re reasoning backwards. He was CHARGED with felony rape and he would have been charged with felony rape even if he had solicited her in person. The difference, based on the jury’s verdict is that he would only have been CONVICTED of misdemeanor sexual assault–as he was–but not charged with the felony computer charge. So, no computer, no FELONY conviction. Saying he would have been no charges at all is wrong.
NO, I did NOT say that. I said he was convicted of having sex with a 15 year old knowing she was underage. I said the young woman REPORTED a rape. She did.
Completely and utterly untrue. The MISDEMEANOR conviction for sexual assault requires registration as a sex offender for a period of time. I believe it’s 10 years. The computer FELONY conviction carries with it the possibility of lifetime registration, which he can ask to have removed after 15 years.
I don’t know what the judge will do, but the judge has authority to sentence him to jail on the misdemeanor conviction.
The emails/texts linked in #1002 are beyond the pale. I have zero sympathy for this kid.
Actually, I don’t KNOW that at all. In fact, I don’t believe it at all. Your “evidence” of that is the opinion of Labrie’s defense attorney and some talking heads on TV.
If there were one reference to “this statute is not intended to apply to people who know each other in person” Carney would have cited it in a brief, and the charge might have been dismissed.
The law doesn’t have this category of 'teenagers" or “acquaintances.” It has the category of adults, i.e., 18 or over and too young to consent to sex, i.e., under 16. The law does take his age into account. Because there is 4 years or less difference in their ages, he was convicted of a misdemeanor. If he had been 20, it would have been a felony.
I’m not going to wade through 1005 responses in this thread, but there were multiple posts on here immediately after the trial referring to the computer felony charge and the legal reasons why it should not have been applied in this case. Some were from commenters with legal knowledge, others had quotes from other sources. I’m just a parent posting my own opinion on a blog, not a lawyer. The tone of your responses is considerably less measured than that of other commenters, so I’ll be happy to back out of the conversation.
If anyone wants to watch the hearing which is now on go to https://www.youtube.com/c/fox10phoenix/live
Just as a human being, this guy is scum.
I thought maybe I should cut him some slack, but upon reading the sentencing memo, I’m fine with having the book thrown at him.
It truly is disgusting. Just unbelievable.
SIGH they lost the live feed. Victim not present in the courtroom, but her recorded statement is being played.
The feed is down while the video of the minor victim’s statement is being played, but I’ve been following tweets and it sounds powerful and heartwrenching.
Feed back up. Mom’s statement on.
Her mother is very eloquent.
And I didn’t realize the dad was an St. Paul’s alum.
State is reading the email/texts in open court. Very effective.
Sister’s statement more effective, IMO. OMG they were targeting her sister in college. His friend started stalking her on campus, if she is telling truth.
Dad lost his job over this. Couldn’t focus on his job.
They cut the feed this time, while dad was speaking. Dad went to St Paul’s on fin aid, just like Labrie. Defense sent private investigators to their new hometown, guaranteeing new neighbors would learn about the case. Asked neighbors if victim was “drama queen.” Interviewed friends of their 9 year old daughter. Friends posted pictures of victim on line saying she needed to be raped again to learn her lesson.
Sounds like such an incredible nightmare.
I know that human beings can be amazing, loving, and astounding in their potential for greatness.
And then far too many are utterly despicable.
"Defense sent private investigators to their new hometown, guaranteeing new neighbors would learn about the case. Asked neighbors if victim was “drama queen.”
I’m not surprised, but it is still disgusting.