The alleged sexual misconduct victim of a former Albert Lea High School band instructor testified about her experience on the first day of a four-day jury trial Tuesday.

Wednesday, November 28, 2001

The alleged sexual misconduct victim of a former Albert Lea High School band instructor testified about her experience on the first day of a four-day jury trial Tuesday.

The alleged victim, who was a juvenile at the time of the incidents, appeared as a prosecution witness.

During examination by County Attorney Craig Nelson, she explained the details of six different occasions between March and May 2000 when band instructor Russell Allan Konrad, 42, had inappropriate physical contact with her.

According to the testimony she was in her junior year when the incidents occurred. A part of her band activity was toward credit and Konrad was in charge of the evaluation.

She reported the incidents to police in May 2000. &uot;I thought nobody would believe me,&uot; she said, referring to the delay in going to the authorities.

She also said her school life after the events became public was &uot;not very good, because a lot of people didn’t believe me.&uot;

In his opening statement Nelson pointed out that Konrad was in the position of authority. He said he would call nine to 12 witnesses in the following days.

Defense attorney Samuel A. McCloud emphasized that the criminal sexual conduct charge against Konrad involves nothing more than one incident occurring April 29. He also described the case as a made-up story.

The testimony of the alleged victim was to continue today with a cross-examination by the defense. McCloud said he would challenge the prosecutor, focusing on the inconsistency of the witness’s testimony.