Prosecutors have charged Rutgers-Newark professor Anna Stubblefield with aggravated sexual assault, but her attorney claims it was a loving, consensual relationship
NEWARK -- With the 34-year-old man suffering from cerebral palsy and other disabilities, the mother said she changes his diapers, bathes him, dresses him and feeds him. She helps him with walking or escorts him in a wheelchair.
On Wednesday afternoon, the mother was assisting her son once again -- into a Newark courtroom for the trial of the Rutgers-Newark professor accused of sexually assaulting him.
Walking backwards, the woman held her son's hands and guided him into the courtroom. He looked around, glancing over the faces of the jurors and the lights on the ceiling.
As they approached the jury box, the mother stepped behind her son, placed her hands on his shoulders and introduced him to the panel.
"Jury, this is my son," the mother said, then stating his full name.
The introduction came on the first day of the trial of Anna Stubblefield, who is facing two counts of aggravated sexual assault for allegedly abusing the man, known as D.J., in her Newark office in 2011.
Rutgers has placed Stubblefield on administrative leave without pay.
The trial centers on whether D.J. consented to the sexual activity. Prosecutors argue D.J. was unable to consent, but Stubblefield, 45, of West Orange, claims he consented through a controversial technique, known as "facilitated communication."
In his opening statement, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Eric Plant told jurors Stubblefield met D.J. in 2009 through his brother, then a Rutgers student, who approached her about helping D.J. with his communication. For the next two years, the family trusted Stubblefield as she worked with D.J., Plant said.
Anna Stubblefield, 45, a Rutgers-Newark professor of West Orange, who is facing two counts of aggravated sexual assault for allegedly abusing a severely mentally disabled man in 2011. The trial is being heard before Superior Court Judge Siobhan Teare at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark. 9/9/15 (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) But Plant said Stubblefield betrayed the trust of D.J.'s mother and brother when she pursued a scheme to sexually assault him. She targeted him, because of his mental incapacitation, his physical limitations and the fact that he doesn't speak, according to Plant.
After Stubblefield disclosed the sexual relationship to D.J.'s mother and brother, the brother reported the alleged abuse to Rutgers officials, Plant said. The university later contacted Essex County prosecutors, Plant said.
"They trusted her. They brought her into their home and into their world," Plant said. "And that's why when she sexually molested (D.J.) in 2011, it was so injurious to them. It was such a breach of trust."
Stubblefield's attorney, James Patton, however, told jurors Stubblefield and D.J. had fallen in love and were in a consensual relationship.
By working with D.J. through facilitated communication, Stubblefield learned he is "an intelligent man trapped in a hideously handicapped body," Patton said. As their relationship progressed, Stubblefield and D.J. ultimately told his family that "they were in love," Patton said.
"What happened between these two people was not sexual assault," Patton said in his opening statement.
In the months leading up to the trial, one of the ongoing issues has been how much the jury would hear about facilitated communication.
Facing allegations that she knew or should have known D.J. was unable to consent, Stubblefield is expected to testify that she believed facilitated communication was a valid means of communication.
Under that method, advocates claim that, as a facilitator provides physical support, a disabled person can communicate by typing on a keyboard. Critics argue the technique is ineffective, saying studies have shown the facilitators are controlling the users' movements.
Several scientific organizations have declared the technique is invalid.
MORE: Is professor using 'Ouiji Board' science to defend herself in sex abuse case?
For Stubblefield's trial, Superior Court Judge Siobhan Teare has barred expert testimony on facilitated communication, because she determined it is "not a recognized science."
The judge has said no one can testify about the technique, except for Stubblefield, but Teare has warned her to not take on an expert's perspective in her testimony.
Following opening statements on Wednesday -- and when the jury had left the courtroom -- Teare reminded Patton about her rulings after he had told jurors about another person working with D.J. through facilitated communication. That person will not be allowed to testify about the method, the judge said.
"The trial is not about facilitated communication," Teare said.
The series of events leading to the criminal charges began in 2009 when D.J.'s brother was taking a course of Stubblefield's, according to Plant. The brother approached her to see if she might be able to help D.J. with his communication, Plant said.
Stubblefield soon met D.J. and his mother and began working with him, Plant said.
During her testimony on Wednesday, the mother said she initially attended Stubblefield's sessions with D.J. But Stubblefield later told the mother she was distracting D.J. and that it was better for her and D.J. to work alone, according to the mother.
The private sessions ultimately occurred on Sundays while the mother was attending church, she said.
"I thought she was typing with him and reading books to him," the mother said.
But in May 2011, the mother said she learned Stubblefield and D.J. had been engaged in a sexual relationship. Stubblefield told her she and D.J. were "lovers," the mother said.
"She said, 'I told you, you have to stop being a mother,'" the mother testified, referring to Stubblefield. "'You have to let him be the man that he is.'
Plant asked the mother: "How did you react to that?"
"I was sickened," she replied.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.