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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |