Jury hears opening arguments in trial of city woman accused of strangling son

Kristi Clement, right, and defense attorney Sarah Rothman in court on Monday (Rochester Voice photo)

DOVER - The trial of a Rochester woman accused of strangling her young son on three separate occasions began on Monday in Strafford Superior Court.
Kristi Clement, 33, of Heaton Street, 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 told jurors that the boy, who was around 10 at the time of the alleged abuse, was "tormented" by his mom for years, but defense attorney Sarah Rothman said in opening arguments that there is absolutely "no evidence" that shows he was ever strangled.
Rothman said that a video taken by a family member prompted police to question the boy in December 2020.
"It shows her disciplining him," Rothman said. She said the son was interviewed by police and told them he "felt safe with his mom" and stayed with her.
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.
The trial is expected to wrap up on Thursday.