Grand Jury Report Surrounding West Philadelphia Abortion Clinic Stirs Up Controversy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The report by a grand jury into the abuses at a West Philadelphia abortion clinic figured prominently in the debate over a state House bill last week, over the strenuous objections of one local lawmaker who believes the grand jury report is irrelevant to the legislative process.
Supporters of the bill cited the recommendations of the grand jury that investigated the Gosnell clinic to defend their position, even though Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams fired off a letter to lawmakers, saying the bill goes beyond the scope of the grand jury's report.
Then there's Delaware County Democrat Greg Vitali, who took to the House floor several times to insist that the grand jury had no business at all in making recommendations on the issue, saying its members have no expertise.
"You get a bus and drive it down any street in your district and get the first 23 people who answer their door, put them on the bus, and they would have as much experience as a grand jury."
Some abortion rights advocates say the House bill, which now goes to Senate, imposes too many burdensome regulations that will cause abortion clinics to close.
Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio
