Philadelphia abortion doctor guilty of first-degree murder
Kermit Gosnell, 72, the Philadelphia abortion doctor charged with four counts of first-degree murder of babies who were killed following failed abortions, has been found guilty on three charges and could face execution.
He was also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Karnamaya Mongar, 41, who died of an anesthesia overdose while undergoing a second-trimester abortion at the Women's Medical Society, in West Philadelphia.
Authorities alleged the infants were live and viable, because the failed abortions occurred during the sixth, seventh and eighth months of pregnancy. Gosnell's former staff, eight of whom are charged with third-degree murder, testified that he used scissors to sever the babies' spinal cords.
Earlier today, the jury sent the presiding judge, Jeffrey Mineheart, a note stating they were hung on two of more than 200 counts of violations against a Pennsylvania law mandating a woman wait 24 hours before having an abortion. Each count was weighed separately.
The judge responded they should continue deliberating and try to reach a unanimous verdict, according to Fox News. He also acknowledged the case was a difficult one. Seven women and five men comprise the jury which has deliberated on the case since April 30. The trial concluded its ninth week today.
After the verdict was reached, Jack McMahon, attorney for the defense spoke to reporters outside the courthouse saying, “The jury has spoken and we respect that verdict. The jury worked very, very, very hard and they should be commended," per a New York Times report.
Reportedly, the doctor smiled and shook his attorney's hand just before the jury foreman read the verdict and was calm afterwards. The trial will move into the sentencing phase on May 21, and prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
Investigators referred to the Gosnell clinic as a foul-smelling “house of horrors” with blood-stained equipment, animal fecal matter and refrigerator freezers stuffed with aborted fetuses.
Pro-life advocates said the trial exposed the truth about abortion, while pro-choice supporters said it showed why safe abortion clinics should be available to all women.
During the trial pro-lifers and others who were concerned about lack of media coverage said there was a media blackout on the Gosnell trial. Mainstream media denied this, but most sent reporters to the courtroom after the accusation.
He was also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Karnamaya Mongar, 41, who died of an anesthesia overdose while undergoing a second-trimester abortion at the Women's Medical Society, in West Philadelphia.
Authorities alleged the infants were live and viable, because the failed abortions occurred during the sixth, seventh and eighth months of pregnancy. Gosnell's former staff, eight of whom are charged with third-degree murder, testified that he used scissors to sever the babies' spinal cords.
Earlier today, the jury sent the presiding judge, Jeffrey Mineheart, a note stating they were hung on two of more than 200 counts of violations against a Pennsylvania law mandating a woman wait 24 hours before having an abortion. Each count was weighed separately.
The judge responded they should continue deliberating and try to reach a unanimous verdict, according to Fox News. He also acknowledged the case was a difficult one. Seven women and five men comprise the jury which has deliberated on the case since April 30. The trial concluded its ninth week today.
After the verdict was reached, Jack McMahon, attorney for the defense spoke to reporters outside the courthouse saying, “The jury has spoken and we respect that verdict. The jury worked very, very, very hard and they should be commended," per a New York Times report.
Reportedly, the doctor smiled and shook his attorney's hand just before the jury foreman read the verdict and was calm afterwards. The trial will move into the sentencing phase on May 21, and prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
Investigators referred to the Gosnell clinic as a foul-smelling “house of horrors” with blood-stained equipment, animal fecal matter and refrigerator freezers stuffed with aborted fetuses.
Pro-life advocates said the trial exposed the truth about abortion, while pro-choice supporters said it showed why safe abortion clinics should be available to all women.
During the trial pro-lifers and others who were concerned about lack of media coverage said there was a media blackout on the Gosnell trial. Mainstream media denied this, but most sent reporters to the courtroom after the accusation.
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