GREENFIELD — A bill that would increase the statute of limitations for filing rape charges passed a House committee on courts and criminal code 12-1 on Wednesday.
The bill, written by Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield, stems from an incident involving Greenfield resident and rape victim Jenny Wendt Ewing. Her assailant confessed to his crime nine years after the incident so he could not be charged. Senate Bill 94 would increase the statute of limitations for filing rape charges by five additional years if the state discovers new DNA evidence identifying the offender or if an individual confesses to the crime.
The bill next heads to the full House for final consideration.
