The court asked high court if a civil rights crime can be prosecuted decades later . Justices dismissed appeal involving man convicted in the kidnapping of two teens . James Horton Seale appealed conviction in 1965 , saying statute of limitations had expired . Indictment stands , but question of whether similar crimes can be prosecuted is unanswered .
Appeals court asked high court if a civil rights crime can be prosecuted decades later . Justices dismissed appeal involving man convicted in 1964 kidnapping of two teens . James Ford Seale appealed conviction in case , saying statute of limitations had expired . Indictment stands , but question of whether similar cases can be prosecuted is unanswered .