BOSTON (MA)
MetroWest Daily News
By Associated Press
Monday, March 7, 2005
BOSTON -- Attorney General Tom Reilly said he will support legislation to eliminate the 15-year statute of limitations for sex-abuse crimes against children.
"A predator of a child should never be out of the reach of the law," Reilly said Saturday in an interview. "If a prosecutor can make a case, and there are victims who are willing and able to make that case, the law should not stand in their way."
The recent trial of former priest Paul Shanley was a factor for Reilly, who described the prosecution of Shanley as "a very important case."
Reilly met with the victim in that case, and on the day of Shanley's sentencing to 12 to 15 years in prison, the courtroom was filled with alleged Shanley victims who said they couldn't press charges because of the statute of limitations.
"When someone is brave enough to come forward and testify and confront their abuser, they should not be prevented because of any technicality in the law," Reilly said.