Closing arguments begin for Los Gatos mom accused of hosting drunken teen sex parties

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Closing arguments began Thursday in a Santa Clara County courtroom for a Los Gatos mother who is accused of hosting parties in which she offered alcohol to underage teenagers and encouraged them to perform sexual acts.

After five years of court proceedings, we are nearing a decision in the case of Shannon O'Connor.

O'Connor was present in court on Thursday, in custody and being held without bail.

The prosecution offered their closing arguments as to why O'Connor should be punished and convicted for her alleged actions.

RELATED: Bay Area woman charged with throwing secret teen parties with alcohol, sex

Prosecutors say she is charged with crimes back in 2021, but the teens testified their involvement with O'Connor dated back to 2019 - when some of them were as young as 11 years old.

During this time, the prosecution argued O'Connor's actions and inactions were a gross departure from the way an ordinary careful person would act.

Parties were held at her home, local parks and even hotels.

Videos shown in court showed the teens drunk beyond comprehension, alcohol stocked in the fridge and O'Connor there present for it all.

Powerful testimony was shared in court in the form of accounts read aloud from the 20 teens said to have been involved - their pictures were on display for the jury.

RELATED: Victims say Los Gatos mom accused in drunken teen sex party scandal is a 'dangerous predator'

They said O'Connor provided copious amounts of alcohol, encouraged them to drink and perform sexual acts with each other.

O'Connor allegedly even suggested the children would become suicidal if the acts weren't carried out.

Quotes from the alleged teen victims included:

"It was more alcohol than I have ever seen."

"I have a hard time comprehending how someone can do this to a child."

"She stripped me of my innocence."

"She is a predator to any society she is in".

"I think she... deserves everything coming her way."

The defense will have the opportunity for their final arguments on Friday.

Both the prosecution and the defense told us they will not provide comment on the case until a verdict is reached.

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