Really? Statute of limitations? What about the fact he is accused of molestation? I agee that everybody deserves their day in court, but all you can come up with is a comment on the statue of limitations?

Molestation is not murder. I know of a case where a psychotherapist took advantage of a vulnerable female patient and had sex with her. She tried to sue him a year later and discovered that the statute of limitations had run out after a year. There seems to be a lot of inconsistency in these matters. It is difficult to build a defense after twenty years when records and witnesses disappear. I was merely expressing surprise at all this. I was not taking a position in favor of molestation as you snidely imply, Juan.

Tony, I'm not too familiar with what the statues are for criminal cases but I know if you want to sue someone you have a year from the time the "act" occured. Found out the hard way myself. Civil court and crminal court have two different sets of rules. Did your friend go to the police? I have a hard time believing the statue would be up after a year. Although you might believe molestation is not murder, it is not too far off. A family member of mine was molested when she was 13 and to this day she has emotional problems that have ruined her life. I was not trying to imply you were in favor of molestation, I was merly taken aback by your comment on the situation. However, after reading your reply your thoughts on this matter are alarming to me. Everybody deserves their day in court and a defense will be easy if he didn't do it. Try to show some compassion for the horrors the victim must have lived with since 1991 or 1992. I'm not trying to have a chat board argument with you, just please realize the victims may read this board and your comment showed no compassion and appeard to attempt to minimize the horrors since it went back "20 years."

Molestation murders a childhood and changes lives forever. Ayone who is insensitive to the lifelong harm done should put in some study time. It will change the student forever as well.

The horror and repulsion around molestation is mainly a societal construct not something in our genes. It is similar to the repulsion society expressed toward homosexual activity prior to 1980 or so. In Roman times it was actually considered normal activity. If we viewed it legally and socially as a form of assault without all the baggage we now attach, the victims in many cases would not suffer the same degree of lifelong trauma and shame that they do today. A lot of their trauma is the sense of shame we communicate to them for being part of the act.

WHAT?!?!?!?!

"The horror and repulsion around molestation is mainly a societal construct" Are you serious???

"A lot of their trauma is the sense of shame we communicate to them for being part of the act." I'm pretty sure their trauma is from being a VICTIM OF MOLESTATION.

You have one truly twisted view of things. Pedophiles and child molesters are the problem. Period.

There is a BIG difference between homosexual activity between consenting adults and adults or between children and children, and sexual cohersion of children by predatory adults. I am not talking about the 19 year old man wth the 17 year old girlfriend; I'm using the example of the 40 year old man in predatory mode with a six year old CHILD in his sites. To equate homosexuality, a normal mode of behavior in my mind thart occurs in all higher animal species, to the child molestor's predatory behavior for self gratification is offensive and wrong. I wonder where your standards come from and why you dismiss this behavior so lightly. Children may not give consent. It is the law. Our failure to protect them is a reflection on our legal system even if it was 20 or 50 years ago.

From the replies there is obviously a lot of miscommunication here. My reference to homosexual conduct was to make the point that our attitudes about what is repugnant or disgusting where sex is concerned are quite arbitrary and can change considerably with the passage of time. I clearly said molestation should be a criminal offense. The non-arbitrary part of a molester's offense in my opinion is the abuse of trust and authority of adults vs. children. The most healing response from victims should be anger. Repugnance or disgust reactions on the part of the victims lead to self loathing and are harder to treat. Repugnance or disgust from adults warps judgment and leads to irrational analysis of facts when it comes to trials and enforcement. It leads to witch hunt atmospheres. Also treating the perpetrators in non-rational ways makes them more defensive and unreachable. This is why I think the emphasis should be on the rational aspects of abuse rather than the parts which are based on arbitrary sexual standards.

Maybe we also have different definitions of molestation. I think of forceable activity on children as rape not molestation. I think of molestation as something where the minor is convinced or cajoled into doing something.

I never said that I had no queasy and repugnant feelings myself. I do. I grew up in this society and absorbed the same mores as everyone else. This doesn't prevent me from stepping back and looking at how the situation might be improved.

I am commenting on your statement"molestation as something where the minor is convinced or cajoled into doing something."
The standard mode of behavior for predators of children is to weaken their resistance over time and seduce them into acts that they are forbidden to consent to by law. There is no circumstance I can think of that allows adults to engage in sexual activity with a child. The mental and physical damage is too great to allow it at any time in any form. Predators justify their activities in many ways, but at base it is not allowed.
Children, by their nature, are at the mercy of adults because they trust them to nurture, not harm. A child may comply, but that in no way excuses the adult's behavior.

Bronwyn, either our intern got it wrong or Ray rounded down. I don't think there's a way to find out at this point but, as Dover points out, the official birth date is available from the sheriff's department. Thanks for the court proceedings update, Dover -- last I checked only the Feb. 10 court date was posted.

Worse. And please do not forget it happens to boys as well. An assualt like this in childhood can skew the sexual expression of adult. What happened to Mr. Anderson that influenced his behavior?

Ms. Raguso is right and fair. Mr Anderson is innocent until guilt is proven, and that is from Napoleonic Law that we had the good sense to change from "Guilty until proven innocent".
In our courts system the truth is not always found, just who has the more skillful attorney. If there is no basis to find Mr.Anderson guilty of the charges I would not envy him when he makes a re-entry to his community because this is one muddy spot that is hard to wash off. Compassion is needed.

Emilie, do we know anything more about the facts? Does he have an attorney? Why was the arraignment postponed twice? Has he tried to make bail? He has so many friends in this town, it's hard to believe that he doesn't have more visible and vocal support in his corner.

Dover, you are absolutely correct. Ray has many supporters in this community. However, this is a very emotional topic, and cannot be commented upon lightly. Without any facts on either side, ANY overt defense of Ray would likely inflame debate. Despite the best intentions, it's not clear there is a way to speak up in Ray's defense at this point without appearing to be blaming the alleged victims, or downplaying the alleged crimes.

All we can do is call for level heads and patience while the investigation continues.

So please do not take the muted response from Ray's friends as anything other than an indication of the few facts that are known, and the very sensitive nature of the situation.

@Dover: When I spoke to the DA's office Tuesday, there wasn't even a docket number assigned. It's hard to get information because it's all through a spokesperson who has a caseload herself. There's no direct access to attorneys until there's a hearing, and I haven't gone to any of the dates so far... But, as a result, I don't know yet who his attorney is. I will definitely keep on top of it but I don't know that the information will come quickly. Posted the latest story here (http://patch.com/A-qRPl) but there wasn't a whole lot to add.