MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Mayor A C Wharton Jr. says nearly $4 million in funds from the Department of Justice and New York City’s district attorney will help Memphis pay for testing of 12,000 backlogged rape evidence kits.
Wharton said Thursday that the city is getting a $1.9 million grant from the Justice Department and an additional $2 million from the District Attorney of New York. His announcement came after the White House said $41 million in federal funds plus $38 million from the Manhattan prosecutor will go toward clearing backlogs in 27 states.
The backlog was revealed in late 2013. Wharton then established a sexual assault kit task force and made fundraising for testing a priority. So far, 7,187 kits have been tested or are awaiting testing at a lab.
ADRIAN SAINZ, Associated Press
