Controversy heats up over DA's decision not to charge couple with rape

BOSSIER PARISH, LA (KSLA) - The controversy over the Bossier Parish district attorney's decision not to charge a couple with rape heats up again.

Glenda and Marvin Young were indicted for the aggravated rape of a mentally challenged girl a couple of years ago.

But District Attorney Schuyler Marvin says the victim's family made it impossible to prosecute the Youngs on the aggravated rape charges because they were uncooperative.

Marvin told KSLA News 12 last week, that's the main reason his office pursued the lesser charge. Glenda Young was with four counts of misdemeanor conspiracy to commit carnal knowledge of a juvenile and her husband was charged with criminal trespassing. They pleaded guilty to the charges.

What's new is that recently published comments from the victim's family challenges the district attorney's claim.

A Shreveport publication, The Inquisitor, reports that the victim's mother, Betty McWhiney, says the district attorney's office never contacted them about making a plea offer to Ramirez or Young.

Marvin disputes that claim, saying his office not only contacted them but has even sent subpoenas.

The Inquisitor and Marvin did find some common ground: Both the family and the DA say the mentally challenged girl did have a breakdown in court.

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