Trial set to begin in trial of New Hampshire prep school senior charged with raping freshman

Owen Labrie looks around the courtroom during his trial, in Merrimack County Superior Court, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, in Concord, N.H. During opening statements, prosecutors said Labrie raped a 15-year-old freshman 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)

Owen Labrie looks around the courtroom during his trial in Concord, N.H. in August. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Owen Labrie's defense attorney Jaw W. Carney, left, gives his opening arguments as prosecutor Catherine Ruffle, lower right and Judge Larry Smukler listen Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, in Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord, N.H. Labrie is charged with raping a 15-year-old freshman at St. Paul's School on May 30, 2014, as part of a tradition known as the "Senior Salute" days before he graduated. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (The Associated Press)

Prosecutors in the rape trial of a New Hampshire prep school graduate say a practice of sexual conquest at the school known as the "Senior Salute" will be central to the case.

Opening statements are scheduled Tuesday morning in the trial of 19-year-old Owen Labrie (lah-BREE') of Tunbridge, Vermont.

He's charged with raping a 15-year-old freshman just days before graduation in 2014. He has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors said Labrie raped the girl in a building on the Concord campus of St. Paul's School on May 30, 2014.

In an interview with police, Labrie spoke candidly of the practice in which boys about to graduate attempt to "score" with younger female students.

Deputy Merrimack County Attorney Catherine Ruffle said Monday that the practice is "the context for this entire event."