Judge Upholds Felony Conviction in Prep School Rape Case

A judge has upheld the felony conviction of a graduate of an elite New Hampshire prep school who was found guilty of luring a girl to a sexual encounter as part of a sordid game of conquest.

A jury in August convicted 19-year-old Owen Labrie, of Tunbridge, Vermont. His trial exposed a practice among students at St. Paul's School known as Senior Salute, in which graduating students try to have sex with younger classmates.

A judge in Concord upheld his conviction on Tuesday. Labrie's lawyers said they plan to appeal the decision. 

Labrie's lawyers wanted the felony conviction for using a computer to arrange the encounter dismissed. With the conviction upheld, he faces lifetime registration as a sex offender when he is sentenced next week.

Prosecutors countered that lifetime registration was appropriate.