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Trial of former YDC House Leader gets underway

Trial of former YDC House Leader gets underway

The Sununu Youth Services Center, in Manchester, N.H., stands among trees, Jan. 28, 2020. Photo: Associated Press/AP Photo/Charles Krupa


MANCHESTER, N.H.- The state’s case against Lucien Poulette, the former House Leader working at the State Youth Development Center charged with sexually abusing a teen under his care 27 years ago began Tuesday.

Appearing in Hillsboro County Superior Court follow jury selection Poulette,70, and his attorney heard the state’s opening arguments in which prosecutors refenced a statement from the victim which highlighted the type of environment Poulette had created; “He always told me, if I ever said anything I was never getting out.”

According to court documents Poulette is facing two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and two counts of felonious sexual assault for crimes which allegedly occurred between April and November of 1999.

In his opening remarks Poulette’s lawyer, pushed back and highlighted how the victim didn’t feel the need to peruse the case for more than 20 years, and only did so after they met with a civil attorney who provided access to more than $100,000 in pre-trial loans.

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