Assault Trial Of Ex-Bristol Prosecutor Under Way

The trial of a former Bristol County prosecutor accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in a courthouse conference room and telling her he could keep her boyfriend out of jail has started.

Opening statements in the trial of 42-year-old Peter Joseph Costanza started Wednesday in Fall River.

Costanza is charged with indecent assault and battery and public corruption in connection with the alleged assault in August 2008.

The Sun Chronicle reports that the alleged victim, 17 at the time, testified Wednesday that Costanza pushed her against a wall and forcibly kissed and groped her, suggesting he could keep her boyfriend out of jail.

Costanza's lawyer said in opening statements that his client was the real victim and the allegations are false and a "calculated assault on his integrity."