OREGON CITY, Ore. (KATU) — Prosecutors and defense attorneys made opening statements Wednesday in the rape trial of a former Portland Trail Blazer.
Ben McLemore is accused of raping a woman at another former Trail Blazers’ home in October 2021.
The crime allegedly occurred during a party at Robert Covington’s Lake Oswego home.
On Wednesday, both sides said they planned to call him as a witness in their case.
Attorneys say a small group fell asleep watching a movie at that party. That’s when the state claims the victim, who was allegedly throwing up from excessive drinking throughout the night, woke up.
The state alleges McLemore raped the woman and then left Covington’s home. It says the woman called police later that day and had a rape kit done.
The state says the results of that test could not rule out McLemore.
The defense argues the alleged victim was the one who initiated things.
McLemore’s lawyer says he will personally testify about the encounter.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
If convicted, McLemore would face at least eight years in prison.