Day 5 Wrap Up of West Fargo Teacher Sex Trial

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West Fargo teacher Aaron Knodel will soon know his fate on five felony charges.

The 2014 North Dakota Teacher of the Year is accused of having a sexual relationship five years ago with a 17 year old student.
 
The jury was sent home today after a few hours of deliberation and will resume their talks in the morning.

KVRR’s Brittany Ford was in court and has the story.

The alleged victim was called to the stand a second time in order to clarify some of the testimony she gave last week.

The former student then brought up a sexual encounter she hadn’t mentioned in her previous testimony.

During cross examination, she was questioned about her inconsistent statements.
 
“Is the answer to my question that you never told Agent Nest that anything ever happened during 5th period?  That is a true statement is it not?”

“I’m not sure you would have to read me the report.”
 
“As the jury prepared for deliberation, the prosecution and defense made their final statements.”
 
The defense strategy was to bring the jury back to the alleged victim’s freshman year when she admitted to having a crush on Knodel.
 
“Just because you wanted it to happen doesn’t mean that it did. Now we’re here in a criminal case talking about proof without reasonable doubt.”
 
The prosecution stressed to the jury that the high volume of phone calls is enough evidence to show he is guilty of the felony charges against him.
 
“In two months they have had phone conversations beyond all the time you people have been here for this trial.”
 
The courtroom is currently on standby until the jury can come to a unanimous verdict.

Brittany Ford KVRR News.
 
The jury is expected to have a decision by tomorrow.