08/19/2002

Associated Press

Ward Weaver was arrested last week after his son's girlfriend accused Weaver of raping her. And even though Weaver has repeatedly said he is the number one suspect in the disappearence of the two Oregon City girls, prosecutor's have not charged him, or even said he is a suspect.

Legal expects say there are two good reasons for that.

First, investigators may not have enough evidence to build a solid case against Weaver. Weaver has said he failed a lie-detector, but those tests are not admissible in court.

Second, now that Weaver is behind bars because of the rape charge, there is no hurry.

Ward Weaver in court. (KGW File Photo)

Joshua Marquis, district attorney for Clatsop County, says even if prosecutors are able to charge Weaver, there is good reason to wait.

State law gives criminal defendants the right to demand a trial within 60 days. Marquis says if police were to arrest Weaver before they fully built a case, he could demand a quick trial and possibly win an acquittal merely because police didn't have time to fully investigate the case.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)