Abortion is one of the most
controversial and highly discussed issues in America. The debate about when a
person becomes a person has our country torn apart. Some people believe that
life begins at the moment of conception, while others believe that life does
not begin until later on in the gestation period of a fetus. However, everybody
was able to agree when it came to the trial of Philadelphia abortion provider,
Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who was found guilty of first degree murder on Monday, May
13. Dr. Gosnell killed babies by using scissors to cut their spinal cords. He
was convicted of three counts of first degree murder, which could result in the
death penalty for the 72 year old doctor.
In addition to the first degree
murder charges, Gosnell was accused in the death of a 41 year old woman,
Karnamaya Mongar, who died of an anesthetic overdose while she was undergoing a
second trimester abortion at Gosnell’s West Philadelphia clinic. The jury found
Dr. Kermit Gosnell guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the case of Mongar’s
death.
Dr. Kermit Gosnell was also found
guilty of 21 counts of abortion of 24 weeks or older unborn babies. In the
state of Pennsylvania, it is illegal to perform an abortion past 24 weeks,
unless if there is a threat to the mother’s health.
This high profile case was riddled
with emotions as pictures of the aborted babies with snipped spinal cords were
presented. The jury took their time
evaluating and going over all of the evidence that was presented throughout the
trial. Earlier on Monday, May 13, the jury said it was hung on two counts after
deliberating for two weeks. The judge instructed the jury to try and reach a
verdict on these two counts. After much deliberation, the jury convicted Dr. Gosnell
and a wave of emotion and relief overcame the prosecution as Assistant District
Attorney, Joanne Pescatore began to sob after the verdict was read.
By Doaa Falah
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