September 11, 2007 21:33

Failed James Brown rape lawsuit leads to law change

Illinois has changed some of its laws

The state of Illinois has changed some of it’s rape laws following a failed lawsuit against James Brown.

The new law, which will be implemented on January 1, 2008 suspends the statute of limitations when the victim has been intimidated or manipulated into staying quiet.

The current law gives rape accusers only two years to sue.

Brown’s former publicist Jacque Holland accused him of rape, saying he assaulted her at gunpoint in 1988 and threatened to kill her if she told anyone what happened.

In 2005, Hollander tried to take the case to court, but it was rejected due to the time that lapsed since the alleged incident took place. Brown’s laywer denied the charge.

Hollander told the Associated Press that the new law has made her happy, despite the fact that her case did not work out, saying "Seeing that no one will ever walk in these shoes again is the win."

Brown died late last year.

--By our New York staff.
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