Judge in Kermit Gosnell Abortion Case Dismisses Pro-Life Jurors
Life News -
The judge in the horrific abortion case involving Kermit Gosnell and charges of eight counts of murder of a woman he killed in an abortion and the babies whose spinal cords he “snipped” is causing a stir.
Jury selection has concluded in Gosnell’s case and Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart has sent home any potential juror that professed to be pro-life.
Six jurors were selected in all and reports show Minehart questioned candidates about their personal beliefs during the jury selection process, and “[t]hose who expressed religious, ethical or moral qualms about abortion or the death penalty were promptly dismissed.”
“During the jury selection process this week, prosecutors questioned potential jurors about whether they are willing to issue the death penalty against the 72-year-old man. The defense sought to ensure that jurors would be unbiased against Gosnell or those who testified during the trial. According to reports, attorneys dealt with those that had made the cut after Judge Mineheart weeded out those who were firmly pro-life,” one report indicated.
Opening statements are expected to begin next week in the case.
Gosnell, whose squalid “house of horrors” abortion clinic and callous, has had almost flippant attitude toward his macabre abortion practices shocked the nation.
“The Gosnell case is a watershed moment for the issue of abortion,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and Pro-Life Nation. “The discovery of his horrific practices helped shed light on an abortion industry that has run amok without oversight or accountability for decades, and has prompted significant changes in abortion laws and attitudes toward enforcement in several states.”
In all, Gosnell faces 43 criminal counts, including eight counts of murder in the death of one patient, Karnamaya Monger, and seven newborn infants. Additional charges include conspiracy, drug delivery resulting in death, infanticide, corruption of minors, evidence tampering, theft by deception, abuse of corpse, and corruption.
Gosnell could face the death penalty if convicted and he faces a mandatory minimum 20 years. A pool of 125 was narrowed down to 43 potential jurors this afternoon and the death penalty played a role.
The first day of jury selection began with a panel of about 125 people, but most were quickly excused for a variety of factors, including opposition to the death penalty in this potential capital case, personal hardship caused by serving in a trial expected to last 6 to 8 weeks, and having a fixed opinion on the case. At the end of the first day, three female jurors had been selected. The three jurors chosen Monday told Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Minehart they supported abortion.
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2013-03-15 01:20:56
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