Former student sentenced to serve 10-20 years for rape of 14-year-old at West High School

Two years of the minimum sentence may be suspended upon successful completion of the Sex Offender Program while incarcerated.

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MANCHESTER, NH – Hillsborough County Attorney Dennis Hogan announced that on June 20, 2017, Bryan Wilson, 19, of Manchester, was sentenced to serve 10 to 20 years in prison for aggravated felonious sexual assault, before Judge John Kissinger in Hillsborough County Superior Court (Northern District). The crimes occurred on September 30, 2015 at West High School in Manchester. Wilson was found guilty after trial on April 13, 2017.

Both Wilson and the victim were students at West High School when the rape occurred on school grounds.

According to Manchester Police Lt. Brian O’Keefe, the incident was not previously publicized due to the fact that when the crime was committed, both Wilson and the victim were minors, and it was handled through the juvenile court system

According to a narrative released by the County Attorney’s office, on September 30, 2015, Wilson was a student enrolled at West High School in Manchester. During the seventh class period of the day, Wilson skipped class with a 14-year-old-female student in a seldom-used hallway of the building. Witnesses testified that the hallway was known for smelling of smoke and was a place where truant students would often gather while skipping class. The hallway has since been locked and is no longer in use.

At trial, the victim testified that once in the hallway Wilson physically overpowered her and forced her to engage in fellatio, vaginal sex, and anal sex. The victim described being frozen in shock throughout most of the assault as she cried and repeatedly told the defendant to stop what he was doing. DNA testing from the State Forensic Lab confirmed the defendant’s semen was found on the victim. The defendant was charged with three counts of aggravated feloniouss sexual assault and an alternative theory misdemeanor sexual assault. The jury acquitted the defendant of two counts and convicted the defendant of one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault.

After trial, Judge Kissinger revoked the defendant’s bail as required by statute after a conviction for aggravated felonious sexual assault. The defendant remained incarcerated until sentencing on June 20, 2017. At sentencing, Judge Kissinger heard argument from the State and defense counsel. The Court also heard from several witnesses and considered statements from the victim and her family as well as Wilson and his family. The State argued that Wilson was a violent sexual predator who was a danger to public safety, and that his crime was particularly heinous given the victim’s age and that it took place in a school where children should feel safe. The defense argued that Wilson had made a mistake, had learned from his mistake, and was too young for prison.

Before issuing the sentence, Judge Kissinger described the victim as “courageous.” He remarked on her “poise, strength, and bravery.” He also stated that “not one slight thing” the victim did caused what happened. He described Wilson’s actions as “brutal act of physical violence,” and dismissed the defense arguments describing Wilson’s actions as a “mistake or misunderstanding.”

Judge Kissinger sentenced the defendant to 10 to 20 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, stand committed. 2 years of the minimum sentence may be suspended upon successful completion of the Sex Offender Program while incarcerated. Further, the defendant may apply for earned time credit reductions if he participates in qualifying programs and remains free of major disciplinary infractions according to statute.

Assistant Hillsborough County Attorneys Sarah Warecki and Katherine Triffon represented the State in the prosecution with the assistance of Victim Advocate Director Merrill Beauchamp. The case was investigated by Det. Nicholas Georgoulis and other members of the Juvenile Division at the Manchester Police Department.


Editor’s Note: According to data from the National Crime Victimization Survey in 1999, juvenile crime victimizations reported to police and other authorities indicate that only 28 percent of violent crimes against juveniles become known to police, and an additional 16 percent of violent crimes against juveniles are reported to some authority other than the police, mostly school officials. This information was provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention as published by David Finkelhor, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology and Director, Crimes Against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire.

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!