Photo edit of a Planned Parenthood. Credit: Alexander J. Williams III/Popacta.
Photo edit of a Planned Parenthood. Credit: Alexander J. Williams III/Popacta.

A New Jersey court has dropped all charges against four pro-life activists arrested for trespassing in an abortion center after the defendants claimed it was necessary under the law to enter the facility.

The Trenton Municipal Court dismissed all charges against four members of the Red Rose Rescue pro-life ministry over their sit-in protest after attorneys with the pro-life Thomas More Society revealed the abortion center never informed potential customers of the psychological consequences of abortion.

Father Christopher (Fidelis) Moscinski, Will Goodman, Patrice Woodward, and Matthew Connolly were arrested on December 22, 2018, and charged with “defiant trespass” for offering women in the abortion center’s waiting rooms a red rose and literature on life-affirming alternatives to abortion. 

When the case finally came to trial, Thomas More’s attorneys argued that since the center purports to offer a medical service, but did not advise women of the potential negative outcomes, that made the trespass necessary under the law to protect patients.

“The argument here was unusual,” said Thomas More Society Special Counsel Christopher Ferrara, “in that it did not focus on defense of life but rather on the lack of informed consent to abortion, for which women have the right to sue for damages in New Jersey.”

“The dismissal of all charges against these courageous pro-life advocates brings to an end the long saga of this case,” Ferrara added. “One can only admire the willingness of these four to make an offering of their own bodies, as prisoners, to save the unborn. Repeatedly they have immolated themselves for the sake of innocent life, even at the cost of arrest and imprisonment in the tradition of civil disobedience that brought about the success of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. This time, however, they were spared that penalty.”

“Christopher Ferrara and the Thomas More Society helped us continue our pro-life witness in the Trenton court,” declared Moscinski. “Before all charges were dismissed, the judge allowed us to assert the defense of necessity at the upcoming trial. Now that will not be necessary. Ultimately, the prosecutor asked for our charges of trespass to be dismissed. We are grateful for the remarkably effective representation of Christopher Ferrara and the support of the Thomas More Society. May we see many more such victories for the cause of life!”



Comments

  1. ” … they have immolated themselves for the sake of innocent life …” !!! How stupid of a hyperbolas statement can you write !!! Do you buttheads even know what immolate means ?

  2. Congratulations are very much in order here.
    And the best wishes for more of such rewards for BRAVELY DEFENDING LIFE AND TRUTH!

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