MISSOURI
News-Leader
The Missouri Supreme Court's decision to allow a child sex abuse case from the 1970s to go to trial came down to plain English.
Lawyers for the Rev. Thomas Graham argued that the statute of limitations had run out and that there was no way he could get a fair trial. Memories have faded; witnesses have died.
A state appeals court, however, agreed with prosecutors. Missouri law says there is no deadline to file charges for crimes punishable by death or life in prison, which include sodomy. The Supreme Court, in declining to take the case, agreed with the appeals court.
The decision is technically right. It also is philosophically correct.
It may take years before a sexual-abuse victim is willing to step forward and confront the adult who betrayed his or her trust. When an institution stands behind that adult, it is even more difficult for the victim to find the courage to seek justice.
Posted by kshaw at December 25, 2004 08:40 AM