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Kermit Gosnell guilty of three murders in late-term abortions Kermit Gosnell guilty of three murders in late-term abortions
(35 minutes later)
A Philadelphia doctor has been found guilty of the murders of three babies born alive and killed with scissors after late-term abortions. A Philadelphia doctor has been convicted of the first-degree murders of three babies born alive and killed with scissors in late-term abortions.
Dr Kermit Gosnell, 72, was acquitted on another charge of killing a fourth baby, who let out a whimper before he cut its neck, prosecutors said.Dr Kermit Gosnell, 72, was acquitted on another charge of killing a fourth baby, who let out a whimper before he cut its neck, prosecutors said.
But he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of an adult patient who died of an overdose. He was also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of an adult patient who died of an overdose.
The case became a flashpoint in the US debate over abortion.The case became a flashpoint in the US debate over abortion.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Gosnell.Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Gosnell.
'House of horrors''House of horrors'
Former staff members of the clinic testified that Gosnell had routinely performed illegal late-term abortions past Pennsylvania's 24-week limit, delivering babies alive then using scissors to sever their spines. Former staff members of the clinic testified that he had routinely performed illegal late-term abortions past Pennsylvania's 24-week limit, delivering babies alive then using scissors to "snip" - as he referred to it - their spines.
Prosecutors argued that Gosnell had run a filthy, out-of-date "house of horrors" with unqualified staff - including the ones that administered a lethal dose of sedative drugs to 41-year-old Karnamaya Mongar, a refugee from Nepal. Among the former employees who testified at the six-week trial was Gosnell's wife, Pearl, a cosmetologist who helped perform terminations. She has already pleaded guilty to a number of charges and is in jail awaiting sentence.
Defence lawyers had argued it was the result of unforeseen complications. Prosecutors argued that Gosnell had run a filthy, out-of-date "house of horrors" with unqualified staff - including those who administered a lethal dose of sedatives to Karnamaya Mongar, a 41-year-old refugee from Nepal.
Prosecutor Ed Cameron said to Gosnell during closing arguments in the six-week trial: "Are you human? Defence lawyers had argued the abortion patient's 2009 death was a result of unforeseen complications.
"To med these women up and stick knives in the backs of babies?" Prosecutor Ed Cameron said to Gosnell during closing arguments: "Are you human? To med these women up and stick knives in the backs of babies?"
Officials said a raid of the clinic, in a poor section of West Philadelphia, had turned up bags and bottles of foetal remains, including severed feet.
The clinic also had bloodstained furniture, dirty medical tools and cats roaming the premises.
During the trial, Judge Jeffrey Minehart threw out three other murder charges involving aborted foetuses.
The jury was earlier deadlocked on two counts against Gosnell, but did not specify which of the multiple counts.The jury was earlier deadlocked on two counts against Gosnell, but did not specify which of the multiple counts.
After the verdict was read on Monday, Gosnell appeared calm, the Associated Press news agency reports.After the verdict was read on Monday, Gosnell appeared calm, the Associated Press news agency reports.
The jury will return next week to begin to hear evidence on whether Gosnell should get the death penalty. The jury will return next week to hear evidence on whether he should get the death penalty.
The gruesome trial became a cudgel for those on both sides of the deeply divisive abortion debate in the US. The trial became a cudgel for those on both sides of the abortion debate in the US.
Anti-choice advocates argued that the case exposed the true nature of abortion. Anti-abortion activists said the case exposed the grim reality of the procedure, and accused US media of ignoring the case because of liberal bias.
But pro-choice groups said it showed what would happen if abortion regulations were tightened, driving desperate women to unregulated backstreet clinics. But abortion rights groups warned the case showed what would happen if laws on such procedures were tightened, driving desperate women to unregulated backstreet clinics.
Midway through the six-week trial, anti-abortion activists accused the US media of ignoring the case because of liberal bias. The case also exposed failings by Pennsylvania's health authorities.
The case also proved a scandal for Pennsylvania health authorities. Officials had failed to conduct routine inspections of all of its abortion clinics for 15 years by the time Gosnell's operation was raided and closed more than two years ago.
Officials had failed to conduct routine inspections of all of its abortion clinics for 15 years by the time Gosnell's operation was raided and closed down. Two top state health department officials were sacked, and Pennsylvania imposed tougher rules for clinics.
In the wake of the raid, two top state health department officials were fired, and Pennsylvania imposed tougher rules for clinics.