# Memphis TV anchor arrested for rape that occurred 32 years ago? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614 "2006-05-05T23:22:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/1 "2006-05-05T23:22:27Z")
Re this article in my local paper - [TV anchor charged in 1974 Wicomico assault](http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060505/NEWS01/605050302/1002) What level of proof is required to arrest someone 32 years after the fact? Unless they have an undisputed picture of him doing the rape how could you possibly convict someone after such a lengthy period of time? [Copyrighted article deleted] ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/2 "2006-05-05T23:36:45Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Re this article in my local paper - > > [TV anchor charged in 1974 Wicomico assault](http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060505/NEWS01/605050302/1002) > > What level of proof is required to arrest someone 32 years after the fact? Unless they have an undisputed picture of him doing the rape how could you possibly convict someone after such a lengthy period of time? This is very interesting to me for a variety of reasons I cannot go into…I’d be interested in any updates or additional information. VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/3 "2006-05-06T00:31:51Z")
[Fox Anchor Ron Meroney Accused of Child Rape Before](http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=D7E57D8D-0946-4986-B0F7-344EDA634B29) [Copyrighted article deleted]. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/4 "2006-05-06T00:58:56Z")
Oh my goodness! I LOVE Ron Meroney! He seems like such a nice “Mr. Rogers” type fellow. How sad. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/5 "2006-05-06T03:25:46Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Re this article in my local paper - > > [TV anchor charged in 1974 Wicomico assault](http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060505/NEWS01/605050302/1002) > > What level of proof is required to arrest someone 32 years after the fact? Unless they have an undisputed picture of him doing the rape how could you possibly convict someone after such a lengthy period of time? > > [Copyrighted article deleted] [Moderator Underoos On]You already had the link-there was no need to copy the entire article.[/Moderator Underoos On] ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/6 "2006-05-06T03:29:08Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [Fox Anchor Ron Meroney Accused of Child Rape Before](http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=D7E57D8D-0946-4986-B0F7-344EDA634B29) > > [Copyrighted article deleted]. [Moderator Underoos On]Ditto.[/Moderator Underoos On] ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/7 "2006-07-14T14:37:10Z")
[QUOTE=Veuve\_ClicquotNJ] This is very interesting to me for a variety of reasons I cannot go into…I’d be interested in any updates or additional information. VCNJ~ [/QUOTE] Per your request here’s an update [Television anchor surrenders to police on rape indictment](http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060714/NEWS01/607140323/1002) ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/8 "2006-07-14T14:54:17Z")
From the article above: Ruark said Meroney appeared before a Wicomico County Circuit Court judge late Thursday afternoon and was ordered to be held at the county detention center on $50,000 bond OK - I clearly know less about the bonding process than I thought I did. I thought that you had a bond to guarantee that you would appear in court later. Why would you need to cough up 50 grand while being held in detention? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/9 "2006-07-14T15:18:58Z")
He’s being held until he can come up with the $50,000 bond. When he comes up with the money he can be released on bail. ---
**Author:** ![Sunrazor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/10 "2006-07-14T15:26:25Z")
I’ll wager dollars to doughnuts (1) he never serves a day in jail and (2) his career is ruined. Isn’t there a statute of limitations on something like this? I was listening to NPR Thursday about a woman nearly killed by an axe-wielding assailant 30 years ago in Oregon, and when she finally decided to go back to the town where it happened, she discovered no one had ever been prosecuted, and the statute of limitations has now expired on the case. I’m guessing Oregon and Maryland have different statues on this kind of thing??? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/11 "2006-07-14T16:13:31Z")
[QUOTE=jeffrice] I’ll wager dollars to doughnuts (1) he never serves a day in jail and (2) his career is ruined. Isn’t there a statute of limitations on something like this? I was listening to NPR Thursday about a woman nearly killed by an axe-wielding assailant 30 years ago in Oregon, and when she finally decided to go back to the town where it happened, she discovered no one had ever been prosecuted, and the statute of limitations has now expired on the case. I’m guessing Oregon and Maryland have different statues on this kind of thing??? [/QUOTE] Really? I thought there were no statute of limitations on murder? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/12 "2006-07-14T16:21:53Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] Really? I thought there were no statute of limitations on murder? [/QUOTE] Yes, but “nearly killed” isn’t murder. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/13 "2006-07-14T16:23:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Really? I thought there were no statute of limitations on murder? But that woman wasn’t murdered, apparently. What a weird case. And it’s for _statutory_ rape, which makes me more interested in the details. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/14 "2006-07-14T16:43:03Z")
So there are limits on attempted murder then. Okay. ---
**Author:** ![Sunrazor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/15 "2006-07-14T17:07:29Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] So there are limits on attempted murder then. Okay. [/QUOTE] As far as I know, the only non-federal crime for which there is no statute of limitations is murder. But then, my whole life has been spent in the western U.S. (except for when I was in the service.) Some states could easily have no SOL or very long limitations on other crimes. It just seems that after 30 years … hmm. ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/16 "2006-07-14T21:04:20Z")
He was given probation on the Baltimore cases - maybe evidence has come to light that puts that probation into question -like he lied or they reserved the right to recharge him … Having said that it has been done before: [http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/01\_02/2006\_02\_17\_Noel\_40Years.htm](http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/01_02/2006_02_17_Noel_40Years.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/17 "2006-07-14T22:19:02Z")
[QUOTE=jeffrice] Isn’t there a statute of limitations on something like this? [/QUOTE] A number of states allow for prosecution of sex offenses against minors in the case of repressed memories with the SoL starting from the time the alleged victim recovers the memory. SoLs may also stop running if the alleged assailant leaves the jurisdiction. Dunno if either of those are the case here. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/18 "2006-07-14T23:34:06Z")
[QUOTE=astro] What level of proof is required to arrest someone 32 years after the fact? Unless they have an undisputed picture of him doing the rape how could you possibly convict someone after such a lengthy period of time? [/QUOTE] Probably the same way [a man](http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/45373.php) was released after 22 years for a crime he did not commit. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/19 "2006-07-15T02:58:14Z")
After the recent priest scandals, state legislatures have been under great pressure to significantly loosen the statutes of limitation for crimes inflicted on children. Some states have voted to eliminate the limitations altogether. They are running into appellate problems, however, because they are trying to apply the laws to crimes that (obviously) have already been committed. In any event, to answer astro’s question, if the police were involved and obtained evidence such as underwear, DNA testing could certainly lead to a conviction 32 years later. Given the high profile nature of his job, it’s possible that a victim just happened upon one of his newcasts and put two and two together. I daresay it’s a face/voice you’d keep burned in your memory. On an unrelated note, when I clicked on astro’s 2nd link, Google had a huge ad of Maury Povich on the side and for a moment I thought he was the alleged rapist. Brrr! ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614/20 "2006-09-27T02:39:30Z")
Final Update [Newscaster to plead guilty to statutory rape](http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/NEWS01/60926004) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memphis-tv-anchor-arrested-for-rape-that-occurred-32-years-ago/355614.md?page=2)