COURT TO HEAR SEX-ABUSE LAW CASE

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on a challenge brought by 72 year old Marion Stogner, a retired paper-plant worker who police say created a home life so dysfunctional that his two sons became molesters themselves.  He is accused of abusing his two daughters in California nearly 50 years ago.  He long denies abusing his children.  His attorney, Elisa Stewart, says the accusations by his daughters are so old that she can't mount a defense.  His case, which landed in court just five years ago, is on hold while his lawyers appeal to prevent his prosecution.  In most states, statutes of limitations would keep Stogner out of criminal court.  But in 1994, California began allowing child molestation prosecutions years after legal deadlines to file charges had passed.  

(San Francisco, California)