FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A teenager accused of raping a fellow student in a swamp behind Framingham High School was arraigned on Thursday.
Patrick Cowart, 18, was arrested on Thursday night, after police found a disoriented and partially naked girl in the swamp during school hours.
The 17-year-old girl had been missing from class, and school counselors found her in the woods before calling police.
"She appeared to be incoherent, intoxicated," said prosecutor Dan Brunelli. "They were able to get out from her that she indicated that she did have sex, but that was not consensual."
Two witnesses, also students, told police it appeared the girl was being raped, Brunelli said.
Cowart admitted to investigators he had sex with the victim but said that it was consensual. Bridget Bradley, Cowart's defense attorney, said the alleged victim had used drugs and alcohol and that her story - as well as the witnesses' - is not reliable.
"She later stated, according to the police report, that she doesn't remember the incident at all," Bradley said.
Cowart's family members, who asked not to be identified, said he has had trouble with the law but that he was living in a group home to try to get his life on track.
"He's getting charged with some stuff that he shouldn't be getting charged with," said one family member in tears. "He doesn't deserve this. He deserves better."
Cowart's juvenile record includes warrants and probation violations, Brunelli said.
Cowart's bail was set at $50,000. The judge ordered him to stay away from the alleged victim, the two witnesses and Framingham Public Schools.
Cowart will appear again in Framingham District Court on Dec 7.
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