(SPRINGFIELD, Mo., AP) — A lawyer has asked a judge to dismiss charges against a former Springfield coach accused of sexually abusing a student 24 years ago.

Ronnie W. White is charged in Greene County court with deviate sexual assault stemming from alleged incidents involving a student at Parkview High School in 1991 when he coached basketball.

The Springfield News-Leader reports (http://sgfnow.co/1W65X8M ) that White’s lawyer, Dee Wampler, has filed a motion seeking to dismiss the charges charges because he says the statute of limitations has expired.

The judge heard arguments Wednesday on Wampler’s motion.

Prosecutors contend the statute of limitations never expired in White’s case because laws extending the statute of limitations were enacted in 1997, 2004 and again 2011.

The judge is expected to rule on the motion later.

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com