A woman claiming Bill Cosby has victimized her decades ago has asked lawmakers of Nevada to support a bill eliminating the state’s statute of limitations on sexual assaults, a provision which has prevented her from going after a criminal case against Cosby, the famous comedian.
48 years of Lise-Lotte Lublin could not her tears back when she told authorities that she passed out after two drinks given to her by Cosby, in Las Vegas Hilton in 1989. Former model Lublin said she had the memory of Cosby stroking her hair and the next thing she remembers was waking up at home.
She didn’t give this matter too much attention until she heard similar allegations from other females which led her to think something wrong must have happened to her while she was unconscious. In January, she has filed a report to the police, but was informed that Cosby couldn’t be charged as too much time has gone by. Therefore her husband and she went to the bill’s sponsor and insisted to draft the legislation.
“I want to empower victims, period,” Lublin said, “regardless of what happens for me.”
David Brokaw, Cosby’s publicist didn’t reply to email message regarding the matter on Friday. More than 20 women have come forward in the recent months with various accusations against Cosby, starting from unwanted advances to sexual assault as well as rape. Cosby has not been charged with a crime and has denied only some of the allegations through his lawyers.
Nevada law states that charges of sexual assault cannot be filed exceeding 4 years subsequent to the alleged incident. The bill would eliminate that limitation and would bring forward sexual assault in the same podium as murder and terrorism as crimes without a statute of limitations.
Democratic Assembly woman Irene Bustamante Adams who is sponsoring the bill has stated that this legislation would assist assault victims in taking as much time as they need before feeling comfortable and ready to file a report and face the issue publicly.
Vanessa Spinazola, a lobbyist for the ACLU of Nevada, stated that statutes of limitations help in ensuring that cases are reviewed before witnesses pass away and memories fade away.
“They permit both the prosecution and the defense to try the case before evidence is stale,” Spinazola said. “As more time lapses, it becomes increasingly difficult for the accused to prepare a meaningful defense.”
Attorney Lisa Rasmussen stated that there is an unlimited statute of limitations for the prosecution of a sexual assault when a report is filed in the duration of 4 years of the incident.
“You also have to think about whether or not you would want to be in a position where someone is saying ’35 years ago, someone did this to me,'” Rasmussen said.
The bill would not be valid retroactively because of constitutional concerns.
The press has not acknowledged the victims of assault because of policy, even though Lublin went ahead in full gear with her allegations.