At issue for a jury: When Rutgers-Newark professor Anna Stubblefield had a sexual relationship with a severely mentally disabled man ... could he consent?

NJ.com reports that as her continued this week, jurors learned law enforcement listened in while Stubblefield spoke to the man's mother my phone: "We love each other so much," she was heard saying in a recording. "He's the most important person in my life. I'm the most important person in his life."

The man's name has not been disclosed, to protect his identity. He has cerebral palsy, wears diapers, and does not speak, NJ.com reports his mother has testified. He needs help walking, bathing, dressing and eating, she has said.

She's accused of abusing the 34-year-old in her Newark Office. Prosecutor's argue the man was unable to consent to sexual activity. Stubblefield says he consented through "facilitated communication" — helped to type on a keyboard.

Louis C. Hochman is digital managing editor for NJ1015.com. Reach him at louis.hochman@townsquaremedia.com or on Twitter @LouisCHochman.

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