News file photo Former Alpena Public Schools teacher Heather Winfield testifies earlier this month in Alpena’s 26th Circuit Court.

ALPENA ― Defendant Heather Winfield took the witness stand to testify in her own defense at her sexual assault trial in Alpena’s 26th Circuit Court this afternoon.

The former Alpena Public Schools teacher, whose trial entered its ninth day of testimony today, faces charges she sexually abused a former student when he was between 11 and 13 years old.

Defendants have the right to remain silent during their trial, and the jury may not hold that against them during deliberation, Judge Roy Hayes told Winfield before she decided to take the stand.

Winfield’s decision came after the defense this morning questioned Winfield’s brother-in-law and friends of both the alleged victim and Winfield’s daughter.

Winfield took the stand shortly after a juror lunch break. She began her testimony by denying the alleged victim’s accusations and stating that he raped her in 2018.

Once the defense rests its case, the prosecution may call witnesses to rebut any evidence presented by the defense.

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