The state of New Hampshire is facing a legal battle as David Meehan, a former resident of the Youth Development Center, alleges he was subjected to horrific abuse during his time there in the late 1990s. Meehan claims he was repeatedly raped, beaten, and locked in solitary confinement, leading him to file a lawsuit against the state.
In a dramatic turn of events, Meehan’s credibility was called into question by the state’s defense lawyer, Martha Gaythwaite. She suggested that Meehan was a troublemaker as a teen and is now seeking a payout as an adult by fabricating his allegations of abuse. Gaythwaite grilled Meehan on his past, including his involvement with gangs, sex, and drugs, insinuating that he was not a reliable witness.
The cross-examination became heated as Gaythwaite cast doubt on Meehan’s claims of being raped by a male staffer at age 15, pointing to inconsistencies in his story. She also questioned his mental health history, including an incident where his wife had him committed to a psychiatric facility.
Despite the intense scrutiny, Meehan remained steadfast in his testimony, maintaining that he was a victim of abuse at the hands of the state workers. The trial continues to unfold, shedding light on the disturbing allegations of negligence and misconduct at the Youth Development Center.
As the legal battle rages on, the state argues that it should not be held liable for the actions of individual employees and questions the timing of Meehan’s lawsuit. The emotional toll of reliving his trauma in court was evident as Meehan expressed his frustration at being portrayed as a liar and a troublemaker.
The outcome of this trial will have far-reaching implications for the state of New Hampshire and the victims of abuse at the Youth Development Center.