Death Penalty Mulled In West Philadelphia Abortion Doctor Case
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia district attorney's office will open the door Wednesday to the death penalty for a West Philadelphia abortion doctor charged with murdering seven babies and a female patient.
When prosecutors come to the courtroom for an arraignment hearing for Dr. Kermitt Gosnell, they will offer what is called a "notice of aggravating factors," which they are required to do if they intend to pursue the death penalty.
Among the aggravating factors they are expected to register - the deaths of the seven newborn babies who would have survived had they received proper medical treatment.
Gosnell, who has been jailed without bail since his arrest in January, could to enter a plea to the charges.
A grand jury found evidence that Gosnell performed hundreds of illegal, late-term abortions during a 30-year-period at the clinic he ran.
In the cases in which seven homicide charges were filed, the grand jury found labor was induced, live births occurred and the viable infants were killed.
Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio
