Attorney general picks judge to lead rape kit initiative

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt visited Columbia on Wednesday to talk about state efforts to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits.

Schmitt spoke at 10:30 a.m. at True North, a shelter in Columbia for victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Schmitt announced his appointment of Judge M. Keithley Williams as state coordinator of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Williams’ job is to take detailed inventory of the thousands of untested rape kits across the state and eventually install an electronic tracking system to help authorities, hospitals and victims stay up to date on the status of the kits.

Schmitt said with the detailed data, authorities can more effectively fight and prosecute offenders and support victims in their quest for justice.

A video of the full news conference is available in the player below.

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