An update from Operation Rescue about how the Kansas abortion cartel has been under unprecedented pressure from pro-life efforts with national implications
Wichita, KS - November 5, 2007 - As Christians prayed for an end to abortion over the past 40 days as a part of the "40 Days For Life" national prayer vigil campaign, God heard and answered prayers in Kansas in amazing ways.
Tiller's Troubles Intensify
In Wichita, late-term abortionist George R. Tiller and his "hired-gun" out-of-state abortionists LeRoy Carhart, Shelley Sella, and Susan Robinson face the uncertainty of whether Tiller's abortion empire can withstand the scandal of three major legal offenses along with decreasing abortion numbers.
Tiller currently faces 19 criminal misdemeanor charges of violating the Kansas ban on post-viability abortions past 22 weeks due to his illegal business relationship with abortionist Ann Kristin Neuhaus, a relationship made public by Operation Rescue in August of last year.
Just last Friday, Judge Clark V. Owens heard oral arguments in a Tiller motion to dismiss the charges based on their argument that the Kansas law unconstitutional. Judge Clark took the motion under advisement and promised a ruling in "several weeks."
"There was a real concern that if the judge ruled in favor of Tiller, those criminal charges would have been dismissed. We prayed that would not be the case," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "The fact that the case is still alive is an answered prayer. Now, even the pro-abortion prosecutor has had a change of heart and is promising to appeal an adverse ruling, when before he said he would not. God is changing hearts before our very eyes. We continue to beseech the Heavens for a criminal conviction in this case, which could cost Tiller his medical license."
KSBHA Investigation Launched
Also during the 40 Days for Life, Operation Rescue filed a complaint with the Kansas State Medical Board on behalf of Michelle Armesto, who received an abortion in her 24th week of pregnancy at Tiller's mill in 2003. That complaint, including medical records to substantiate the claims, alleges 14 violations of state law, standard of care, and medical ethics. (Read more about the Armesto complaint.) This complaint joins an existing KSBHA investigation filed by Operation Rescue's Cheryl Sullenger into Tiller's abortion practice that also alleges illegal late-term abortions in a number of other cases.
"These cases directly ask for the suspension and eventual revocation of the Kansas medical licenses of abortionist George Tiller, Ann Kristen Neuhaus, and California abortionist Shelly Sella," said Newman. "We believe that if the board does their job by evaluating the law and standard of care without interjecting their pro-abortion bias into the cases, these complaints have an excellent chance of succeeding."
Grand Jury Effort Exposes Cronyism, Corruption
Just days after we began our 40 days of prayer, Tiller was handed another set-back when a District Court judge ruled that a Sedgwick County grand jury investigation called through the citizens petition process must go forward. This was the second failed attempt by Tiller's lawyers to block the grand jury investigation.
However, on October 26, the Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court Kay McFarland, an avid abortion supporter, placed the grand jury on hold indefinitely while Tiller's motion to block the investigation was considered.
"This unprecedented intervention in a citizen-called grand jury revealed the extent Tiller's political influence in Kansas," said Newman. "One of our prayers has been that abortion-related corruption would be exposed and eliminated. God answered our prayer in this regard. While any delay is troubling, at least the grand jury has not yet been struck down. We trust that God has this in His sovereign hand, and that in His timing this investigation will move forward."
Abortion Numbers Declined Each Week
In addition to Tiller's legal problems, the number of abortions as reported by the Kansas Coalition for Life has decreased each week during the past 40 days of prayer. Thankfully, there were four babies saved and eight "turn-aways," which are likely babies saved, during that time period.
Overland Park Planned Parenthood Faces Grand Jury
Petitions were submitted in Johnson County on October 26, with nearly twice the signatures required by law to convene a grand jury investigation of Overland Park's Planned Parenthood abortion mill. The effort took only three weeks to accomplish - all within the 40 Days for Life time period. That grand jury effort alleges that Planned Parenthood committed illegal abortions, did not report suspected child sexual abuse, traded illegally in fetal body parts, and failed to determine viability in abortions past 22 weeks, as required by law.
That grand jury investigation is not affected by the delay in seating the Tiller grand jury.
"That was a Herculean effort by a coalition of pro-life groups, including Operation Rescue, Concerned Women for America, and Women Influencing the Nation, and really showed how much can be accomplished when pro-lifers work together," said Newman.
107 Criminal charges filed against Planned Parenthood
On October 18, just days before the grand jury petitions were filed, District Attorney Phill Kline filed 107 criminal charges against Planned Parenthood, including 23 felony counts of lying to governmental oversight agencies.
This huge case has already had national implications.
Nationwide "Ripple Effect"
In another unprecedented show of unity, Operation Rescue was privileged to join a coalition of 60 national groups calling for the defunding of Planned Parenthood nationwide. Federal funding requires that an organization adhere to state and federal laws. In light of the massive criminal case and upcoming grand jury investigation, which is expected to yield additional charges, the groups send a letter to every U.S. Senator and Congressman asking for the suspension of federal funding to Planned Parenthood. (Read more about this letter.)
"The only thing keeping Planned Parenthood afloat is Federal tax dollars," said Newman. "This effort could be the beginning of the end to the nation's largest abortion chain. We thank God for opening this door."
Abortionists on the defensive
Pro-lifers have enjoyed amazing victories during the past 40 days of prayer, and have the Kansas abortion cartel on the defensive. These efforts have had ripple effects nationwide.
We recall the words of Jesus to Peter that "the gates of hell will not prevail" against the Church. That requires that the Church take the offensive. These past 40 days, members of the Church have done just that, seeking God for an end to the shedding of innocent blood, and then using the wisdom He has graciously granted us to put feet to those prayers. Prayer must be coupled with action, just as faith must be coupled with deeds.
We thank God for all He has done though His people during the past 40 days and look forward to continued victories and answers to prayer as we continue to press on in our mission to stop the shedding of innocent blood, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Please continue to pray for:
# Tiller's trial to move forward without further impediment.
# The KS Supreme Court to allow the Tiller grand jury to move forward immediately.
# The KSBHA will move to protect women and their viable babies and revoke the medical licenses of abortionists Tiller, Sella, and Neuhaus.
# The Planned Parenthood grand jury to be seated without delay.
# Planned Parenthood to be convicted of the crimes with which they have been accused.
# Planned Parenthood to lose their state and federal funding nationwide.
About Operation Rescue
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates. Click here to support Operation Rescue
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"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"
