Paul Eran Peterson, 41, is charged with seven counts of third-degree sexual abuse, Class C forcible felonies, and five counts of incest, Class D felonies. Last week, Peterson waived his right to a jury trial and asked for a bench trial, in which a district court judge hears the testimony and evidence and renders a verdict without a jury. District Court Judge John Flynn is hearing this case.

Peterson’s trial started Tuesday morning with testimony from his alleged victim, who will be known as Jane Doe. The Messenger does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Doe described the defendant as “very controlling — everything had to be his way.”

Doe testified that the abuse started several years ago and said she didn’t know how many times the defendant had abused her.

“I lost count,” she said. “It was a lot.”

Doe recounted the first time the defendant forced himself on her.

“I was terrified and I felt like I couldn’t move,” she testified. “I just remember the pain.”

She described everything after that incident as a “nightmare.”

Doe was later asked if she ever consented to the sexual contact. She stated that she never felt like she had a choice.

“I wouldn’t say no every time because I knew there was no point,” she said.

The trial will continue today with testimony from Webster County Attorney’s Office Investigator Larry Hedlund.