DA Says Witnesses to Alleged Rape on Pa. Train Can't Be Prosecuted, Urges Them to Come Forward

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Pennsylvania officials have announced that the passengers on a Philadelphia commuter train who failed to intervene in thealleged sexual assault of a fellow passengerwill not face charges.

“While I share the public’s outrage that such a heinous crime could occur on a public SEPTA train, I want to reiterate that Pennsylvania law does not allow for the prosecution of a passenger who may have witnessed a crime,” Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said in a statement.

“Accordingly, any passenger who believes he or she may have observed the October 13th event on the SEPTA train should not fear prosecution. You are encouraged to come forward to share information with law enforcement,” he added.

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According to SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch, 35-year-old Fiston Ngoy has been been charged with rape, indecent assault and related offenses.

Ngoy is being held at Delaware County Jail, according to online jail records. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.

source: people.com