Congressman Cohen Votes to Advance Rape Kit Testing Bills

Mentions Alecia Franklin rape case in Memphis at markup

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today voted to advance the Rape Kit Backlog Act and the Debbie Smith Act, to the floor of the House of Representatives. In his remarks in the markup of the rape kit bill, he mentioned the failure of the state to have the rape kit associated with the assault on Memphian Alecia Franklin tested in a timely manner, allowing the rapist to remain free to kidnap and kill kindergarten teacher Eliza Fletcher.

Congressman Cohen said in part:

“It took 11 and a half months for that kit to come back and it showed that the same man who committed the murder and kidnapping had committed the rape of this woman…This is important. We need to keep reviews over these departments and make sure they’re doing their jobs.”

See Congressman Cohen’s remarks here.

# # #