News
Ky. Attorney General Transfers Millions For Rape Kit Backlog
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear has transferred $4.5 million from his office to the Kentucky State Police to help eliminate the backlog in rape kit testing.
The state legislature approved the transfer last month. The money comes from the settlement of a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for misleading consumers about the antipsychotics drug Risperdal. Former Attorney General Jack Conway announced that settlement last year.
Kentucky has more than 3,000 untested rape kits, according to an audit last year by former state Auditor Adam Edelen.
Rape Kits contain physical evidence from victims collected in the hours after a sexual assault. Testing the kits can identify DNA and other evidence that can help authorities identify and prosecute suspects.