Joyful Heart in the News

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A Cleveland rape case in the hands of the Ohio Supreme Court could result in tougher standards for prosecuting cases reopened after tests on thousands rape kits, some that had been shelved for decades.

State and national victims' advocacy groups are closely watching the case. They've filed legal briefs warning that, if an appeals court decision stands, it could undermine justice for rape survivors and allow serial rapists to evade prosecution.

At issue is whether it's fair to prosecute rape cases based on DNA found in the rape kits -- even if it identifies a suspect police knew of decades earlier but, for whatever reason, didn't charge.

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