Plan Removes Statute Of Limitations In Sexual Assault Cases

A bill in the Ohio legislature would remove the 20-year statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and sexual battery cases. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office said he supports the measure, which would allow cases to be filed against defendants 20 years or more after the alleged crime. John Murphy of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association says he opposes pursuing such cases unless DNA evidence is involved. Murphy says prosecutors are concerned that without such evidence, rape cases could come down to verbal allegations based on faulty memory instead of evidence.