In recent developments, a federal judge sentenced seven pro-life activists involved in organizing an anti-abortion event that was aimed at blocking access to abortions and convincing women not to proceed with their appointments. Among the defendants is Lauren Handy, who led the protest in 2020.
The 76-year-old Ms. Bell, a longstanding leader in the rescue movement, received a sentence of 27 months and 100 hours of community service. During her hearing, she informed the judge that she wouldn’t report her community service or abide by probation because she viewed it as an admission of guilt. The judge warned her that disobedience would result in her returning to prison and possibly losing credit for time already served.
Lauren Handy was sentenced on May 14, receiving a term of 57 months, the longest among those defendants who have been sentenced so far. Two other defendants, Heather Idoni and Paulette Harlow, have yet to be sentenced. Jay Smith pleaded guilty and was sentenced to ten months in prison in March 2023.
In addition to their respective sentences for conspiring against civil rights, each defendant also received an additional 12 months for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a law established under former President Bill Clinton. Judge Kollar-Kotelly stated that these 12 months could be served concurrently with their primary sentences.
John Hinshaw and William Goodman were sentenced on May 14, receiving terms of 21 months and 27 months respectively, along with three years of supervised release for each individual. On May 15, Jean Marshall was given a term of 24 months, while Herb Geraghty received 27 months.
Among the defendants sentenced, Goodman and Hinshaw have filed notices of appeal, as have Handy’s attorneys. Prosecutors and the judge highlighted that several defendants had prior arrests related to anti-abortion protests in their criminal records. Prosecutor Sanjay Patel described Ms. Handy’s history of such actions as a “penchant.
The Biden administration indicted Ms. Handy and others shortly after she and fellow activist Terrisa Bukovinac, who is also a pro-life presidential candidate and a Democrat, informed authorities they possessed a box containing aborted fetuses. This incident took place at the same Washington Surgi-Clinic where the 2020 “rescue” occurred.
The Thomas More Society, which represented Ms. Handy, issued a press release stating it would appeal in an attempt to overturn her conviction and challenge the constitutionality of the FACE Act. Martin Cannon, senior counsel for the society, expressed his belief that peaceful pro-life activists like Ms. Handy deserve gratitude, not prison sentences.
The FBI’s assistant director in charge, David Sundberg, emphasized in a press release that the agency and judicial system “will not tolerate the obstruction of civil rights.