The trial of a former teacher and coach accused of raping a teenager student began Friday.

Kali Watkins, 42, was a coach and teacher at Webster Schroeder High School. He’s been charged with first and second-degree rape.

He's accused of abusing a teenage student on school grounds. Prosecutors said the incident happened sometime between 2016 and 2017 when Watkins worked as a special education teacher in the Webster School District. He was later fired in December 2017.

In the opening statements, the prosecution said they will not only prove Watkins is guilty, but that the rape was a pre-meditated act that “turned the victim’s life upside down.”

Meanwhile the defense said that the rape “simply did not happen...girl talk that went too far.”

They claim a lack of forensic evidence and evidence they will present including an alibi will reinforce Watkins’ innocence, but reminded the jury that it is the prosecution’s job to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The alleged victim’s best friend took the witness stand first. The prosecution used her testimony to establish a timeline from the alleged January 2017 assault up to the December 2017 investigation. 

Then, an investigator with the Webster Police Department took the stand to discuss the Watkins investigation before the court adjourned for the afternoon.

Testimony continues Monday at 9:30 a.m.