California ends 10-year statute of limitations for rape over Cosby caseSeptember 29, 2016 - 15:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - California Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation ending the U.S. state's 10-year statute of limitations on rape, BBC News reports. The move was prompted by decades-old allegations made by multiple women against actor Bill Cosby. The change means that from January 2017 there will be no time limit on the prosecution of rape cases. But it will not work retroactively, or help those who accuse Cosby of crimes committed more than 10 years ago. Dozens of women have accused the comedian of sexual assaults dating from the 1960s to the 1990s. Cosby, who starred in the long-running sitcom The Cosby Show, has denied the accusations, saying his sexual encounters were consensual. He is due to go on trial in June 2017 charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Philadelphia in 2004. Current California law requires prosecution for rape to begin within 10 years of the alleged offence, with some exceptions. Under the new legislation, SB813, there will be no time limit. The change will also apply to crimes for which the statute of limitations has not expired as of 1 January 2017. Senator Connie Leyva, who introduced the bill, said it told victims of sexual assault that they could seek justice "regardless of when they are ready to come forward". "Rapists should never be able to evade legal consequences simply because an arbitrary time limit has expired." Statutes of limitations for rape differ across U.S. states. Photo: AP Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |