Chmura's Wife Says Marriage Is Solid

W A U K E S H A, Wis., Feb. 2, 2001 -- Mark Chmura's wife testified today at herhusband's sexual assault trial that their marriage was solid andshe never heard him say the word "jailbait" to anyone.

Chmura's accuser has said the former Green Bay Packer called her"jailbait" and that she disliked him, partly because he treated his wifebadly.

"I have never been mistreated by my husband," Lynda Chmurasaid.

Defense Attorney Gerald Boyle asked, "Your marriage is solid?"

Lynda Chmura replied, "As a rock."

Mark Chmura's accuser, a former baby sitter for his two sons,told police Chmura pulled her into the bathroom during an April 9post-prom party at his friend Robert Gessert's Hartland home, andhad sex with her without her consent.

She was 17 at the time.

Chmura, who was cut by the Packers in June, is charged with third-degree sexual assault and childenticement, both felonies. He has pleaded innocent to the charges. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prisonand $20,000 in fines.

Witness: Accuser Flirted With Chmura

On Thursday, high school football player Michael Klebertestified he warned the teen not to go inside a bathroom whereChmura was changing but she went in anyway with a smile.

He also testified he ran to tell her friends to get her outbecause he feared she would destroy Chmura's reputation.

"I was worried about what she could be doing to ruin certainpeople's careers," Kleber, 17, testified Thursday.

Kleber, an All-State offensive tackle from Waukesha CatholicMemorial High School, told Boyle that prosecutors pressured him tochange his story to say he didn't remember what happened.

"I figured if I tell them the right things, I'm done," Klebersaid. "I didn't have to worry about anything anymore."

Kleber, sticking to his original account, testified the teen andanother woman at the party flirted with Chmura during a drinkinggame.

He said he watched the former NFL star go into the bathroom. Hesaid the teen then appeared in the hallway and walked to thebathroom door.

"I said, 'What are you ... doing?' or 'Don't even think aboutit,'" Kleber said he told the teen.

Kleber said she opened the door and walked in as she flashed hima smile.

Chmura's accuser has testified he is lying.

Witness Says Prosecutors Threatened Him

During cross-examination by Waukesha County District AttorneyPaul Bucher, Kleber said he ran upstairs to find the teen'sfriends. He said he was worried about Chmura's career and theteen's well-being.

The teen has testified the attack ended when an 18-year-oldwoman who has accused Gessert of fondling her in a hot tub bangedon the door.

Kleber said he saw the teen collapse in Gessert's basementminutes after she left the bathroom and asked her what happened.

She swore on her life, the Bible and her mother's life thatnothing did, Kleber said.

He also testified that Bucher and Assistant District AttorneyDennis Krueger told him parts of his story "didn't line up" withother witnesses' versions. He said they threatened to come to hisschool and take him away in handcuffs in front of his friends ifthey caught him lying.

He said he then gave a second statement, saying he didn'tremember any conversations with the teen and his memory of theparty was blurry because he was drinking. Kleber said he did itbecause he feared legal trouble could cost him a chance to playcollege football.

Kleber has since accepted a football scholarship to theUniversity of Wisconsin.

Kleber testified he idolized Chmura and followed him around forhours at the party, talking about weight lifting and whether heshould play for Boston College, Chmura's alma mater.

Chmura, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, joined the Packers in1992. He appeared in two Super Bowls with Green Bay, but missedmost of the 1999 season with a neck injury.