Content warning: This article contains the use of graphic sexual language. The jury trial for Peter Chen, former professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, began Monday morning at the Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court in downtown Ann Arbor. Chen is charged with criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, defined as an act of sexual penetration with a victim under the age of 13, a felony punishable by life in prison. The case filing states that the offense began on April 1, 2017. The alleged victim, who is a minor, is set to testify in the trial later in the week. Chen is pleading not guilty. Originally set to begin in January 2022, the trial was delayed several times before commencing Nov. 28. Judge Darlene O’Brien, the judicial officer presiding over the case, said she anticipated that the trial would take four to five days. Amy Reiser, Washtenaw County’s assistant prosecuting attorney, is representing the prosecution, the People of the State of Michigan. Reiser was accompanied by Sergeant Dawn Murphy from the Ann Arbor Police Department. Attorney Mariell Lehman is representing Chen, the defendant. The first day of the trial consisted primarily of jury selection, in which 12 jurors were to be chosen from a pool of approximately four dozen to sit on the panel. During the jury selection process, the judge and both attorneys questioned the jury pool to determine who would be suited to deliberate the case. O’Brien asked potential jurors about any prior experience serving on juries and any previous familiarity with the case or the parties involved. Jurors also answered questions regarding any circumstances that might prevent the potential jurors from being impartial, such as being or knowing a sexual assault victim or someone who had been charged with assault. Many of Lehman’s questions regarded the possible jurors’ relationships with their children, as well as their stance on whether a child would lie about or have false memories of an impactful event. Reiser explained to the pool of jurors that because there was a delay between when the offense allegedly occurred and when the alleged victim reported it, no DNA evidence would be provided by the prosecution. Reiser asked potential jurors if they would be able to return a verdict without DNA evidence and based solely on the testimonies of the alleged victim and the witnesses. Throughout the selection process, O’Brien excused a few seated jurors for cause. Several others were excused via a peremptory challenge, in which either party’s attorney can dismiss a possible juror without needing to provide a reason. After Chen was placed on administrative leave in early 2021, Engineering Dean Alec Gallimore wrote in an email to CSE students that there was no indication of a connection between Chen’s career at the University and the criminal charge. In a Jan. 2021 statement to The Michigan Daily, Lehman said Chen denied the claims made against him. “On January 26, 2021 Mr. Chen was made aware of the criminal sexual conduct allegations that had been made against him,” Lehman wrote. “He completely denies the allegations and has cooperated fully with the Ann Arbor Police Department to assist them in their investigation. Mr. Chen is confident that the truth will prevail and that he will be exonerated fully. Mr. Chen thanks the numerous people who have reached out in support of him over the last few days.” As is the case with all criminal jury trials in the state of Michigan, all 12 jurors must come to a unanimous verdict by the end of the trial. The trial will resume at 8 a.m. on Nov. 29. The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com News 2 — Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Jury trial begins for former CSE professor Peter Chen Pioneer High School closed due to social media threat PUBLIC SAFETY Computer Science faculty member charged with criminal sexual conduct District leaders urge parents to warn children about dangers of online rumors The Division of Public Safety and Security at the University of Michigan released a statement on Wednesday regarding several home invasions between Nov. 20 and Nov. 27 in the Burns Park area south of Hill Street. According to the release, residents of Burns Park reported to the Ann Arbor Police Department various items were stolen from their residences following their return from the holiday break. DPSS said there are no known suspects, and there is evidence that homes were entered by force. DPSS asked the Ann Arbor community to reach out with any known information. “If you have information, please contact the Ann Arbor Police Department Tip Line at (734) 794-6939 or tips@a2gov. org,” the statement said. DPSS said it strongly encourages students to store valuables out of plain sight, utilize timers for lights and other electronics, keep windows and doors locked and report any suspicious behavior or incidents. Burns Park sees rise in home invasions PUBLIC SAFETY DPSS: students leaving their residences over Thanksgiving break returned to break-ins RACHEL MINTZ Daily Staff Reporter NEWS PHOTO OF THE WEEK Ann Arbor Pioneer High School was closed Tuesday due to a threat made on social media, according to a news release from Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS). The news release stated that a threat was made Monday evening and that classes were canceled out of “an abundance of caution.” Pioneer is one of four primary high schools in Ann Arbor, and this decision will impact its nearly 2,000 students. In an email to students obtained by Click on Detroit, AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Swift said the district is working closely with law enforcement to determine the source of the threat. “The Pioneer and our District teams, working in partnership with the Ann Arbor Police Department, continue to work vigorously through a thorough investigation of this matter today, and we will hold those involved responsible,” Swift wrote. This is the second time that classes have been canceled at Pioneer in two weeks, with the school closing on Nov. 21 due to a problem with a water main. Like many districts, Ann Arbor has received social media threats in the past. AAPS closed all of its schools for a day last December after several threats were made in the wake of the shooting at Oxford High School that left four dead. The threat comes a day shy of the one year anniversary of the Oxford shooting, which occurred Nov. 30, 2021. Swift encouraged community members to take an active role in protecting their schools and urged students to report concerns to school or law enforcement authorities. “Parents should speak with their students regarding the seriousness of posting or spreading social media rumors,” Swift said. AAPS and AAPD did not immediately respond to requests for comment. LEVI HERRON Daily Staff Reporter Ellie Vice/Daily College of Engineering freshman Ishika Gupta laughs as she skates around the CSG ice rink on Monday night. IRENA LI Daily Staff Reporter The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is publishing weekly on Wednesdays for the Fall 2022 semester by students at the University of Michigan. 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