Gosnel : BroughttoJustice ? ByClaireMiler
Foroveraweek , ajuryhadbeendecidingthefateofa late-term abortionist , KermitGosnel , whohadbeen chargedwithalmostthreehundredsmalcharges , four first-degreemurdercounts , andonethird-degreemurder . Ifconvicted , hefacedaposibledeathsentence . Hehad 227countsofviolatingPennsylvania ’ s24hourwait periodforwomenwhowantabortionsaspartofhisleser charges . Thefourfirst-degreemurdercountshehadbeen chargedwithwerebabiesalegedlybornaliveduringilegallate-term abortions , whowerekiledbyGosnelorhis employees . Healsohadbeenchargedwiththethirddegreemurderofawomanwhodiedafterhavinghim perform theabortionprocedureonherandalegedly havingbeenoverdosedonDemerolbyGosnel ’ sworkers .
Gosnelhasbeenperformingabortionssincetheverybeginningandisconsideredoneoftheoriginalabortionists . Gosnelbeganperformingabortionstheyearbeforethe Roev . WadedecisioninNewYorkCityinthe1960sand theninPhiladelphiain1972 . Heisguesedtohaveperformed500abortionsperyearinthe1970sandthat numberdoubledintheyearsbeforethepoliceraidedhis clinicforasuspected “ pilmil ” in2010 . Heisestimated tohaveearnedaround $ 1.8milionperyear .
Throughthisrecenttrial , teriblethingsabouthisclinic andhisproceseshavebeenrevealedtothepublicbyhis employees , customers , andhimself . Hehasbeenfoundto havekepttheremainsof47abortedbabies , from 12-22 weeksand2considered “ posiblyviable ,” inmilkjugs , catfoodcans , andcherylime-adecontainers . Someof thesebabiesstoredinhisclinichavebeenthereforas longasthreeyears . Hewasalsofoundtohavekeptthe abortedbabies ’ feetinjars , havingseveredthem unneces- sarily . Inadditiontothis , severalofthebabieswerefound withseveredspinalcords , somethingwhichwasunnecessary , unlesthebabieswerealiveatbirth . Twoofhis workers , atthetrial , saidthattheycutthebacksofthe necksofbabiesthattheirabortionpatientsgavebirthto prematurely , attheorderofGosnel , evenwhenthe babiesweremoving .
Notonlywerehisproceseshorifying , butalsohisown clinicwasunsanitary , disgusting , andterible . James Johnson , anemployeeofGosnel ’ s , responsibleforthe maintenanceofhisclinic , gavemoregruesomedetailsof theclinic . Johnson ’ sjobwastounclogbackeduptoilets andcleanthepipes . Whenhedidfixthebackeduptoilets , tinybodypartswouldcomeout , towhichGosnel toldhim tojustcleanitupandputitintothemedical waste . Johnsonsaidthatthishappenedfrequently . Healso wastoldtoremovethe “ medicalwaste ” tobringtothe basementoftheclinic , sothatStericyclecouldpickitup anddisposeofiteachweek . However , afterabilingdisputebetweenStericycleandGosnel ’ sclinic , they stoppedpickingupthebagsofabortedbabies . Atone point , Johnsonsaid , therewere27bagsofabortedbabies