Trial begins for former Mitchell’s Martial Arts instructor facing sex abuse charges

On Tuesday, opening arguments began in the case of Leah Wright. Wright is the alleged accomplice who the state claims helped Zach Bennett sexually abuse underage female students.

The state claims that although Wright made no physical contact with the victim, she is just as responsible  because she allegedly lured the victim into the hands of another martial arts instructor. That other instructor is 27 year old Zach Bennett.

Bennett took the stand  for the state and told the jury he was sexually involved with Wright and was interested in having a threesome. Bennett claims Wright was the one that set up sexual encounters with the teenage victim. He claimed in one of those encounters both Wright and the victim took turns performing oral sex on him.

Bennett also said in another instance Wright acted as a lookout for him when he was with the teen.

On Tuesday, we also heard from a victim in the case who said Wright encouraged her to engage in sexual acts with Bennett. She told the jury that she viewed Wright as her 'best friend', and that's why she trusted her advice.

Meanwhile the defense argues Wright was 'infatuated' with Bennett and is just as much of a victim as the teenage student.

An important thing to note in this case is that Bennett has already plead guilty for his crimes in the matter.

The trial is scheduled for two days and will resume on Wednesday. 

Bennett has already accepted a plea deal for this case and is awaiting sentencing. He is currently serving 5 years for sexually abusing one of his young karate students in an incident that happened in Worcester County.