Elizabeth Holmes trial: former Theranos CEO recounts alleged abuse by her former lover

After recounting how she met Balwani while she was still in high school, Holmes said she eventually fell under his sway after she dropped out of Stanford University in 2003 to found Theranos, the startup she led as CEO for the next 15 years.

Holmes, now 37, grew tearful as she testified that she was raped at Stanford, a factor she believes played a role in what she characterized as her later subservience to Balwani, now 56. The two became romantically involved in 2005 before Balwani became the chief operating officer at Theranos, a position he held from 2009 to 2016.

Holmes will return to the witness stand on Tuesday when prosecutors will get their first chance to grill her under oath.

Balwani faces fraud allegations mirroring those against Holmes in another trial scheduled to begin early next year.

During the trial, jurors also have heard testimony from more than two dozen prosecution witnesses, including patients and investors who prosecutors have said Holmes deceived.