Trial begins for former UTEP football player accused of rape

Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of former UTEP football player David Hamm. The 21-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in May 2015 on the UTEP campus.

The trial is is being presided over by Judge Francisco Dominguez in the 205th District Court.

Although the alleged incident was reported in May 2015, court documents show charges weren’t filed until October of that year.

The former UTEP running back was arrested in Louisiana in November 2015. He was enrolled at McNeese State at time, and was extradited back to El Paso.

The prosecution called several witnesses to the stand Tuesday morning, among them the roommate of the alleged victim.

The seven women and seven men on the jury listened as she told jurors the victim had told her she kissed Hamm and even took off her clothes, but did not want consensual sex.

The defendant, wearing a white shirt and black tie, looked at his attorneys and wrote in a notebook and he listened to the prosecution’s witness.

Prosecutors also called registered nurse Diane Dale to the stand. Prosecutors had her explain the rape kit she filled out and the samples she took.

Dale finished her testimony by stating the rape kit had not been tested by any law enforcement agencies.

Hamm, who was dismissed from the UTEP football team in the 2015 off-season, played 11 games for UTEP as a reserve running back.

Testimony resumes Wednesday morning.