More Graphic Testimony In Josh Carrier Trial

For the second time in the child sex abuse trial of Joshua Carrier, a boy testified that Carrier tried to arouse him during a physical exam.

The boy, 14, said Friday that he went to Carrier with concerns about marks on his genitals. He said Carrier told him he thought the marks were blemishes, but that it would be easier to tell for sure if the teen was aroused. The boy said Carrier stroked and softy blew on his genitals.

Another boy made similar allegations, saying Carrier tried to arouse him after finding marks on his private area. These are the most serious accusations the jury has heard in the case.

On cross-examination, Carrier’s defense attorney pointed out inconsistencies in the boy’s testimony compared with what he said in a police interview about Carrier’s exams. While his testimony about Carrier trying to arouse him remained consistent, there were other statements that were not.

“Is it fair to say your memory isn’t really clear on this?” Carrier’s attorney Chris Decker asked the boy.

The boy agreed.

The defense also pointed out that Carrier was involved in suspending the boy from school for taking a cellphone.

On Friday, the jury also heard testimony from the first alleged victim in the case who was not an athlete at Mann Middle School. A boy said he got sick to his stomach at school and Carrier examined him before his mother picked him up. The boy said Carrier touched his genitals and butt during the exam.

Carrier’s defense chose not to cross-examine the boy.

The last alleged victim to testify Friday described how Carrier touched and handled his genitals during wrestling skin checks, but said he didn’t want to go to police because he didn’t feel Carrier did anything wrong.

The boy agreed with Carrier’s defense that he still feels that way.

The defense has said that Carrier’s physical checks were a routine part of his role as a sports coach. Seventeen of the boys who have testified against Carrier so far were on the wrestling team at Mann; one boy knew Carrier from being on the football team.