Sex Crimes

Former students testifying in prep school rape trial describe 'Senior Salute'

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Owen Labrie leaves the Merrimack County Superior courtroom for the lunch break after several of his classmates testified Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Concord, N.H. Labrie is charged with raping a 15-year-old freshman in 2014 as part of the "Senior Salute," a practice of sexual conquest at the prestigious St. Paul's School in Concord. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Former St. Paul's School student Andrew Thomas testifies Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, during the trial of Owen Labrie at the Merrimack County Superior Court Concord, N.H. Labrie is charged with raping a 15-year-old freshman in 2014 as part of the "Senior Salute," a practice of sexual conquest at the prestigious St. Paul's School in Concord. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Former St. Paul's School student Malcom Salovaara testifies Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, during the trial of Owen Labrie at the Merrimack County Superior Court Concord, N.H. Labrie is charged with raping a 15-year-old freshman in 2014 as part of the "Senior Salute," a practice of sexual conquest at the prestigious St. Paul's School in Concord. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, Pool) (The Associated Press)

More details of an elite prep school's campus tradition of sexual conquest are emerging as former classmates testify at a graduate's rape trial in New Hampshire.

Attorneys for Owen Labrie of Tunbridge, Vermont, say he had consensual sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl days before graduating from St. Paul's School in Concord last year. Prosecutors allege he raped her as part of a tradition called "Senior Salute."

Boston.com reports (http://bit.ly/1LwhiyN) that students who testified Monday said "Senior Salute" could involve anything from kissing to sex. Some said Labrie and his roommate were in a "Senior Salute" contest, though the roommate denied that account. One student said Labrie initially smirked and said he didn't have sex with the girl but later said he did.

Labrie is expected to testify this week.