The Vermont man charged with kidnapping a New Hampshire woman and her child testifies in his defence, claiming consent during the alleged abduction.

A Vermont man, who is currently on trial for kidnapping a New Hampshire woman and her four-year-old son, admitted to stealing two vehicles and transporting them across state lines but denied the kidnapping charges. Everett Simpson, aged 45, is representing himself in the federal trial, where he responded to questions posed by his standby attorney, with the questions written by Simpson himself.

Testifying on Monday, Simpson admitted to driving the victim and her child from New Hampshire to Vermont, but maintained that the woman’s actions were consensual, insisting that she had opportunities to escape if she wished. Despite acknowledging the theft of a van and the woman’s car, Simpson continued to deny any form of abduction.

Prosecutors, however, claim that the victim called for help during the ordeal, but it was not provided. They also presented evidence that the pair had travelled to a Vermont motel, where the woman was sexually assaulted. While the federal charges do not include sexual assault, Simpson faces separate state charges for the alleged assault.

Simpson explained that he fled a Vermont drug treatment facility on January 4, 2019, shortly after being dropped off for court-ordered treatment. He stated he left in search of his estranged wife, whom he suspected of being involved with another man. After stealing a van, Simpson drove to New Hampshire, where he abandoned the vehicle and allegedly took the woman and her child back to Vermont.

The woman later received a $400,000 settlement after filing a lawsuit accusing the state of Vermont of failing to locate Simpson after his escape from the treatment centre. The exact settlement amount from the treatment centre remains unclear.

Closing arguments in the case are set to begin on Tuesday, with the jury expected to deliberate thereafter. If convicted of kidnapping, Simpson faces a potential life sentence.