Jury begins deliberations in trial of Rochester woman accused of strangling son

Kristi Clement of Rochester faces up to 90 years in state prison if convicted on all counts. (Rochester Voice photo)

DOVER - The jury in the trial of a Rochester woman accused of brutally beating and strangling her son went into deliberations today shortly before noon.
Kristi Clement, 33, of Heaton Street, Rochester, faces up to 90 years in jail if convicted on all three second-degree assaults as well as decades more on five separate simple assault counts and one criminal threatening charge in which she allegedly told the boy she would kill him or have him killed if he told on her.
Assistant County Attorney Hannah E. Carlson maintained in closing arguments that the boy, who was around 10 at the time of the alleged abuse, was "tormented" by his mom for years.
The trial wound up this morning with instructions from Strafford Superior Court Judge Daniel E. Will.
Defense attorney Sarah Rothman, who is representing Clement, argued there was absolutely "no evidence" that showed the boy was ever strangled.
Rothman said that a video taken by a family member prompted police to question the boy in December 2020, but when interviewed by police he said he felt safe with his mom and the case was closed.
She said DCYF then began monthly visits to Clement's home to check on her children's welfare.
Rothman said the boy only revealed the alleged abuse to his guidance counselor after months of doing poorly in school, including serving at least one suspension.