AMERICAN FORK -
Former LDS seminary principal, Michael Pratt had a front row seat for the recounting of events by his alleged victim in court Tuesday. The 17-year-old girl spent three hours on the stand describing, in detail, multiple sexual encounters. The girl says she met Michael Pratt after she asked for a new LDS seminary teacher. As seminary principal, Pratt had to make the switch. The alleged victim testified saying she stopped going to seminary class and instead spent that class time in Pratt's office because "he seemed like a good friend, someone nice to talk to."
Prosecutors say Pratt spent months grooming the then 16-year-old girl for a sexual relationship. In court, attorneys played a video recorded by the teen, of Pratt playing a guitar and singing a song he wrote for her. Some of the lyrics said :
'You are the sunlight and i am the moon' 'You are the one who sees me. The one who believes in all i can be not just for now but for eternity.' 'Spin the wheel see what we'll will be'
At 16-years-old, the girl says she didn't understand the song until she says Pratt told her he loved her.
In court she testified saying she told him she loved him too. He then told her a fantasy he had about her.
The teen told the courtroom "I was really shocked and taken a back. I had no idea that's what he was leading me towards."
Pratt is accused of engaging in numerous sexual encounters with the teen all across Utah county in places like Bridal Veil Falls, the Goshen Warm Springs and the roof top of the seminary building.
Prosecutors presented a evidence including cell phone records the girl kept of every encounter with who she continually called "Brother Pratt."
She says Pratt had her hide in the back seat of his car to sneak her off school grounds.
The now 17-year-old says the three hours of testimony was exhausting. "It was pretty hard facing him... I've never seen him in a different environment.," said the alleged victim.
A judge bound over 15 of the 21 counts for trial. Many of the charges are felonies because Pratt held a position of trust.
His next court date is set for November 10.
FOX 13's Arikka Von reports.
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Prosecutors say Pratt spent months grooming the then 16-year-old girl for a sexual relationship. In court, attorneys played a video recorded by the teen, of Pratt playing a guitar and singing a song he wrote for her. Some of the lyrics said :
'You are the sunlight and i am the moon' 'You are the one who sees me. The one who believes in all i can be not just for now but for eternity.' 'Spin the wheel see what we'll will be'
At 16-years-old, the girl says she didn't understand the song until she says Pratt told her he loved her.
In court she testified saying she told him she loved him too. He then told her a fantasy he had about her.
The teen told the courtroom "I was really shocked and taken a back. I had no idea that's what he was leading me towards."
Pratt is accused of engaging in numerous sexual encounters with the teen all across Utah county in places like Bridal Veil Falls, the Goshen Warm Springs and the roof top of the seminary building.
Prosecutors presented a evidence including cell phone records the girl kept of every encounter with who she continually called "Brother Pratt."
She says Pratt had her hide in the back seat of his car to sneak her off school grounds.
The now 17-year-old says the three hours of testimony was exhausting. "It was pretty hard facing him... I've never seen him in a different environment.," said the alleged victim.
A judge bound over 15 of the 21 counts for trial. Many of the charges are felonies because Pratt held a position of trust.
His next court date is set for November 10.
FOX 13's Arikka Von reports.
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
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