Ohio advocates: Rape DNA testing delay shouldn’t affect charges

COLUMBUS (AP) — Prosecutors and advocates for rape victims are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to reinstate charges against a Cleveland man accused of attacking a woman in 1993.

The groups say a lower court’s dismissal of the charges creates a legal precedent that could jeopardize thousands of unsolved rapes being re-investigated thanks to improved DNA testing.

At issue is the 2013 indictment of Demetrius Jones for a 1993 rape based on evidence found when an old rape kit was tested.

Jones’ attorneys say investigators knew from the beginning that Jones was a suspect and closed the case after a limited investigation.

They say prosecutors never questioned Jones’ mother, known as a key witness in his defense who died before the new charges were brought.