Defense trying to discredit witness at Tilton rape trial

LACONIA — Lawyers for alleged rapist Thomas Gardner spent most of yesterday reviewing accuser Mark Corente previous criminal record, getting him to confirm that he has a previous conviction for heroin possession in 2007, and calling 9-1-1 to report to police that someone had a gun when it was untrue in 2014.

Corente, who spent most of the day on the witness stand, admitted that he wasn't a perfect person and was initially hostile to many of the questions about his record asked by defense attorney Amy Ashworth.

At one point he said he wanted to "plead the Fifth" but since they were crimes for which he had already been convicted, it didn't apply.

When she asked him about giving a false name to a hospital emergency room to get out of paying a $75 bill, he smiled.

Corente is one of two people who said they saw what they thought was a child performing fellatio on Gardner while all four were at the former Sherryland (mobile home) Park in Tilton on January 17, 2013.

Corente and Joseph Ersnt said they were there looking for a trailers to buy when they saw Gardner's Volkswagen and went up to him to ask if he was the owner.

Gardner has said that he and the young man, who was in his care, had gone to the park to see if they could see their house because some trees had been cut down in logging operation.

Yesterday, Corente testified that he pulled up about eight feet away from Gardner's car and when Ernst got out of the passenger seat to approach Gardner, he saw a black head pop up into the passenger seat. Until he saw the disabled man head, he said he thought Gardner, who he said he doesn't know, was alone in the car.

Corente described the alleged victim as having jet black hair and large teeth. He said he would never forget the victim's "smile."

Physicians testified Wednesday that the alleged victim is short, has scoliosis, as well as a number of neurological problems. They said he has jet black hair and large teeth that show when he smiles. The alleged victim is also largely uncommunicative but does make sounds and occasionally words. All described him as hard to control and very active.

Ashworth also challenged Corente about when he first saw Gardner's car and where he was when he saw it.

A Tilton Police detective testified Tuesday that Corente and Ernst told them Gardner's car passed theirs on his way to the place where he and the alleged victim were parked. Corente said yesterday that he first saw Gardner's car after he and Ernst had looked at two trailers and were driving up a buff in the park.

Corente testified that he called 911 when he saw what he says was a sex act between Gardner and what he thought was a child but the call was disconnected. Corente said he gave either 911 or Wiggin a plate number but it was wrong by one number.

A tape of the call indicates it was disconnected and Tilton Police Dispatcher Terri Wiggin testified she dispatched all available officers to look for the car while she tried to recover Corente's phone number from 911. She said she called back but there was no answer.

She said she never heard from him again.

Corente also said after he was disconnected he saw the police in a different trailer park and flashed his lights but didn't stop. He testified that he wanted to get home and call police back from a land line.

He said that about an hour later he went down Route 132 (Sanborn Road) to take Ernst home and saw Gardner's car parked in the accused's driveway.

Corente testified he called Detective Nate Buffington.

Buffington testified Tuesday and said he spoke to Corente on the phone and that he told him he saw Gardner's car parked on Route 132.