Alleged rape victim's ER nurse, primary care doc among those to testify on Tues.

Accused rapist John Stonis look back toward the gallery during his trial at Strafford County Superior Court. (Rochester Voice photos)

DOVER - A prosecutor in the trial of a man accused of raping his female partner showed the jury on Tuesday a chart detailing more than 20 bruise and scratch marks an emergency room nurse noted the night she was allegedly raped, but under cross examination the nurse told a defense lawyer many of the bruises were minor and/or in varying stages of healing.

John Stonis, 31, of 7 Gina Drive, East Rochester, is charged with eight counts of rape in the case as well as witness tampering and several simple assaults against the victim and two officers who responded to the scene around 1 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2017.

Defense attorney Carl Swenson holds an exhibit for the jury to see while Frisbie Memorial Hospital Emergency Department RN Shauvon Laroche waits on the witness stand at Strafford County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Defense attorney Carl Swenson in opening arguments stated that the bruises were the result of rough yet consensual sex that the couple engaged in frequently.

Frisbie Memorial Hospital Emergency Department RN Shauvon Laroche said none of the bruises or scratches noted on the chart required superficial treatment, but medical staff did order a CT-scan, since there was redness around the neck and they wanted to make sure the victim's air waves had not been compromised.

Laroche's testimony was followed by the victim's primary care physician, Donna Pare, a nurse practitioner who works with Wentworth Douglass Partners. She said when the victim came to see her in early October 2017 her major complaint was that her left shoulder felt like it had been popped out of position. Stonis caused that when he lifted the victim's hands above her head during his alleged attack early the morning of Sept. 30, prosecutor Kayla Jade Turner said during opening arguments.

Pare said the victim had a history of shoulder problems, including a rotator cuff injury that was operated on in 2016. During the October office visit she also said she was sleeping poorly and found herself scared at night.

Pare also said the victim had been taking Clonazepam for her anxiety talk on a longterm basis and she was trying to wean her off of them.

During cross-examination Swenson asked her about some of the side effects Clonazepam can cause.

"Would you have warned her not to mix Clonazepam with alcohol?" he asked.

"I don't remember," replied Pare.
"What would be the concerns? Overly sedating?"

"Possibly."

"Affecting mood?"

"Possibly."

Under questioning Pare admitted the drug could also affect perception, mood, even hallucinations if taken to excess.

In opening arguments Swenson said the accused and the victim were drinking the night of the attack.

The victim is expected to testify before the trial ends; it's not known if Stonis, who faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty, will testify on his own behalf.