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Guilty verdict for Colorado woman who cut fetus from stranger's womb Guilty verdict for Colorado woman who cut fetus from stranger's womb
(6 months later)
A Colorado woman who cut an unborn baby from the womb of a woman she met on Craigslist has been convicted of attempted murder following a high-profile political debate about the legal rights of fetuses.A Colorado woman who cut an unborn baby from the womb of a woman she met on Craigslist has been convicted of attempted murder following a high-profile political debate about the legal rights of fetuses.
A jury ruled Tuesday that Dynel Lane, 36, was guilty of unlawful termination of a pregnancy, attempted first-degree murder and assault for the attack on a 27-year-old woman who at the time was seven and a half months pregnant.A jury ruled Tuesday that Dynel Lane, 36, was guilty of unlawful termination of a pregnancy, attempted first-degree murder and assault for the attack on a 27-year-old woman who at the time was seven and a half months pregnant.
The victim, Michelle Wilkins, survived, but her unborn baby did not.The victim, Michelle Wilkins, survived, but her unborn baby did not.
Wilkins, who had responded to Lane’s ad on Craigslist for maternity clothes in March 2015, testified during a trial that they talked for roughly an hour and that Lane pushed and attempted to choke her before using two kitchen knives to cut the baby from her womb.Wilkins, who had responded to Lane’s ad on Craigslist for maternity clothes in March 2015, testified during a trial that they talked for roughly an hour and that Lane pushed and attempted to choke her before using two kitchen knives to cut the baby from her womb.
Related: Fetal abduction: brutal attacks against expectant mothers on the rise in US
Wilkins further testified that she tried to fight back and told Lane that she loved her in an effort to stop the attack. But Lane replied: “If you love me, you’ll let me do this”, and then she used a broken piece of glass to stab her in the neck, according to Wilkins.Wilkins further testified that she tried to fight back and told Lane that she loved her in an effort to stop the attack. But Lane replied: “If you love me, you’ll let me do this”, and then she used a broken piece of glass to stab her in the neck, according to Wilkins.
The case led Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion groups in Colorado to push legislation that would have allowed the courts to pursue murder charges for killing a fetus. But Democrats and pro-choice groups argued that the legislation would have broadly boosted anti-abortion efforts by adding fetuses to the state’s definition of a person, and the bill ultimately failed.The case led Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion groups in Colorado to push legislation that would have allowed the courts to pursue murder charges for killing a fetus. But Democrats and pro-choice groups argued that the legislation would have broadly boosted anti-abortion efforts by adding fetuses to the state’s definition of a person, and the bill ultimately failed.
In court, Lane’s defense lawyers sought a lesser charge of attempted manslaughter, acknowledging that she had attacked Wilkins, but arguing it was not a calculated murder.In court, Lane’s defense lawyers sought a lesser charge of attempted manslaughter, acknowledging that she had attacked Wilkins, but arguing it was not a calculated murder.
Prosecutors, however, alleged that Lane was obsessed with pregnancy, and her boyfriend David Ridley said in court that the woman had claimed for more than a year that she was expecting a boy.Prosecutors, however, alleged that Lane was obsessed with pregnancy, and her boyfriend David Ridley said in court that the woman had claimed for more than a year that she was expecting a boy.
Ridley testified that he arrived home to find his girlfriend covered with blood and the baby’s body in a bathtub. Lane told doctors that she had given birth to the baby, according to prosecutors.Ridley testified that he arrived home to find his girlfriend covered with blood and the baby’s body in a bathtub. Lane told doctors that she had given birth to the baby, according to prosecutors.
Lane lost a 19-month-old baby in a 2002 drowning accident. She has two daughters.Lane lost a 19-month-old baby in a 2002 drowning accident. She has two daughters.
The woman could face a maximum of 48 years in prison for attempted murder and 32 years behind bars for the unlawful termination conviction.The woman could face a maximum of 48 years in prison for attempted murder and 32 years behind bars for the unlawful termination conviction.