Grand Rapids, MI (WZZM) - It started with a kiss.
That's how a Grand Rapids Catholic Central student says he became sexually involved with his 33-year-old tutor.
"When she dropped me off we kissed," the boy testified in Kent County Circuit Court on Friday.
"On the cheek?" asked Asst. Kent County Prosecutor Helen Brinkman.
"No, on the lips," he replied.
The now 17-year-old was on the witness stand in the
criminal sexual assault trial of former tutor Abigail Simon.
The boy, who at a previous hearing testified under oath he raped the woman, wasn't saying that Friday.
He said his relationship with Simon became progressively more intimate, eventually there was a kiss, and then sex.
"How many times did you have intercourse with the defendant," asked Brinkman.
"I don't remember," answered the boy.
"More than one?"
"Yes."
More than two?"
"Yes."
Prosecutors say the illegal relationship between the 10th grader and the tutor lasted for about 3 months in the winter and spring of 2012.
"Did you know how old she was?" Brinkman wondered.
"Yes," replied the teenager.
"Did you ever tell her how old you were?"
"Yes," he answered. "We both knew what we were doing was wrong."
In his opening statement the attorney for Abigail Simon told the jury the bigger, stronger 15 year old football player raped the tutor, and kept her quiet and terrified by threatening to kill her.
Next week the defense will have the opportunity to cross examine the teenager.
