Man Admits Rape, But County Can't Prosecute

A Clinton Township man has admitted to a 1991 rape and a DNA test supports his confession, but too much time has passed to prosecute the 23-year-old case

Macomb County authorities say that while the statute of limitations has run out to charge Roderick Hunter, 51, in the 1991 crime, there may be fresher crimes that can be prosecuted, WWJ/CBS Detroit reports. Hunter is serving prison time on another rape conviction.

The statute of limitations on rape crimes was extended by the Legislature in 2001, so that means crimes that occurred after May 2, 1995, could be considered for prosecution, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Hunter reportedly spotted the 1991 rape victim at a grocery store, then followed her home several times before choosing what Clinton Township police sid was “the most opportune time” to attack the 47-year-old woman in her condo near Garfield and Canal.

Hunter was implicated in the rape when township police working a cold case sent DNA collected from the woman’s robe to the Michigan State Police crime lab for analysis.

Assistant Prosecutor Steve Fox, head of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office cold-case squad, said authorities want to bring closure to victims who may have been assaulted by Hunter. Any information gathered will shared with the Michigan Department of Corrections in the event that Hunter is considered for parole.

He becomes eligible for release in 2025.

Though he admitted he assaulted the woman, Hunter didn’t disclose information on other possible crimes, Township Police Detective Joe Burns said.

Anyone with information on unsolved or unreported sexual assaults that may be connected to Hunter is asked to call Clinton Township police at (586) 493-7840.

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