Rape suspect asks court to drop 42 charges

COLUMBUS (AP) -- The attorney for a man who has admitted dozens of rapes says nearly one-third of the charges against his client should be dropped.
Robert Patton Jr. is charged with 135 counts, including 71 counts of rape involving 37 women since 1987.
Terry Sherman filed a motion Friday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court requesting 42 of the charges be dropped because they exceed the statute of limitations.
Some of the charges stem from attacks between 1987 and 1993. Police have DNA evidence linking Patton to three of those attacks.
Felonies committed before 1993 have to be prosecuted within six years. However, a law passed in 1999 extends that statute to 20 years.
Prosecutors say they were aware of the technicality before they filed the charges.
"Patton could waive the statute of limitations and still stand accountable," O'Brien said. "Our mission was to cover as many victims that were out there."
Patton was arrested June 7. After his arrest, Patton took police to many of the crime sites in a neighborhood on the city's east side, and also told television reporters he committed more than 50 rapes.