The Latest: Woman testifies in USC player’s sex assault case

SALT LAKE CITY – The Latest on a USC player accused of sexual assault in Utah (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

A 19-year-old woman says being sexually assaulted by a University of Southern California football player after a summertime party in suburban Salt Lake City left her scared, helpless and injured.

The woman testified Monday during a hearing in the rape case against 19-year-old Osa Masina. She said she considered Masina a friend before the assault and that alcohol and marijuana left her almost unable to move.

The Associated Press generally doesn’t name people who say they’re victims of sexual assault.

Her lawyer had asked the hearing to be closed the public during her testimony, but a judge refused after a coalition of media organizations opposed the request.

Defence attorney Greg Skordas has said the sex was consensual. Masina has been suspended from USC.

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11:10 a.m.

A suspended University of Southern California football player charged with rape in Utah is set to appear in court for an evidence hearing.

Osa Masina is accused of sexually assaulting a woman after she passed out following a party. Court documents show the woman is expected to testify Monday, though her lawyer has asked that her testimony be closed to the public. A coalition of media organizations has opposed the request.

Defence attorney Greg Skordas has said the sexual activity was consensual and that his client’s perspective on what happened is different than the woman’s.

Masina is a 19-year-old Utah native who played at Brighton High School in Cottonwood Heights. He’s charged with rape and forcible sodomy.