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2nd Elmo Accuser Met With NYPD, Thinks Kevin Clash "Deserves To Go To Prison"
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 23, 2012
Modified Nov 23, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 23, 2012
Modified Nov 23, 2012
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The man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of an extremely inappropriate relationship when he was 15 and Clash was 42 has met with the NYPD's Special Victims Unit. However, while Cecil Singleton's lawyer has spoken to the Manhattan DA's office about possible criminal charges against Clash, Singleton may have missed the statute of limitations.
The Post spoke to Singleton, who revealed, "The police told me it was out of their hands,... They said if it were up to them, they would have arrested him already." The Post explains, "Singleton, of Harlem, and [first accuser Sheldon] Stephens, of Harrisburg, Pa., are 24 years old, and missed the prosecution deadlines by a couple of months, although officials could potentially still use their accounts for sentencing purposes if there is a future prosecution. Under state law, child sex-assault victims have from age 18 to age 23 to bring their cases; past that, prosecution is barred by a statute of limitations."
Still, Singleton told the News, "I was assured [by the Manhattan DA's office that they] would do everything possible to prosecute." Singleton, who filed a lawsuit against Clash, insisted, "A lot of people have called me money hungry, gold digger. I promise you that ($5 million) amount came out of left field. It was determined by my attorney."
He emphasized, "I was one of many [victims]. It makes me disgusted with myself that I could have been so naive... [Clash's] resigning from ‘Sesame Street,’ that’s the best thing that could have happened. I don’t intend to take anyone’s childhood icon away, but this should tell you you shouldn’t risk putting him around your children.”
Tagged
cecil singleton
child abuse
elmo
kevin clash
sesame street
sheldon stephens
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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