Jurors began deliberations Friday afternoon in the case of a man accused of raping a Kansas University student in 1997.

Douglas County prosecutors accuse the 36-year-old suspect of kidnapping the victim at gunpoint in the parking lot of Naismith Hall, driving her to a secluded area near the tennis courts at Lawrence High School, 1901 La., and raping her. The victim was 20 at the time of the assault.

During closing arguments Friday, prosecutors said testimony proves that the suspect’s DNA was found on the victim’s body and underwear, that the suspect’s fingerprint was found on the victim’s car, and that the victim put together a composite photo similar to the suspect’s appearance.

The defendant, however, claims that he had consensual sex with the victim in the parking lot of a Lawrence bar the night before the rape, that the victim would’ve noticed the suspect’s mangled hand if he was responsible and that the rapist’s DNA may not have been present if he was wearing a condom during the attack.

Jurors began deliberating at 1 p.m.

The Journal-World generally does not identify the suspect in a sex crime unless there is a conviction.