Gov. Murphy says he’s open to legislation to require all rape kits to be tested
The Kane In Your Corner team exposed how one in three kits victims release to law enforcement are never tested.
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Gov. Phil Murphy says he would be open to signing legislation that would require all rape kits released to law enforcement departments to be tested.
In a primetime investigative documentary this month, the Kane In Your Corner team exposed how one in three kits victims released to law enforcement are never tested. New Jersey is one of only a handful of states that allows prosecutors to choose not to test kits even when a survivor wants them tested.
Following the investigation, lawmakers from both parties have suggested legislation that requires all kits to be tested.
The governor commented on the investigation during News 12’s “Ask Gov. Murphy” program.
“It’s gotta get fixed. Again, I think [the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General] has a plan that they’re executing that will get to a good place, but I’m definitely open-minded to legislation [to test all the kits.]” Murphy said.
The Attorney General’s Office contends it's not necessary to test all kits because survivors can identify their attackers in most cases, making DNA evidence irrelevant. Advocates for rape survivors say that view is shortsighted because many rapists are serial offenders.
