Mangino discusses rape case backlog on WYTV-TV

CLICK HERE to watch the interview on WYTV-TV in Youngstown, Ohio.


BOARDMAN, Ohio (WYTV) – In Ohio and other states, old rape kits are being tested.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is one of those that is testing old rape kits to try and solve some old cases. DeWine made the backlog part of his 2010 campaign and his opponent, David Pepper, has brought the issue to the forefront in this year’s campaign.
Nationwide, there are more than 400,000 untested rape kits. In Ohio, more than 4,000 have been tested and there have been a number of arrests and John Doe indictments.
But there are victim advocate groups that have some concerns.
WYTV 33 News legal analyst Matt Mangino said there are several reasons that victim advocate groups are opposed to this “cold testing.” He said one of those is that they want victims to deal with these issues on their own terms.
He said some victims may be afraid to come forward to get treatment if they feel they will get caught up in the legal system.