A recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling has pro-choice
groups fearing that the decision could undermine the case for legal abortions in
the United States.
The court reversed the manslaughter conviction of a
pregnant woman who was accused of murder for stabbing and killing her boyfriend
after he attacked her in a way that posed no mortal danger to her – but that
could have ended her pregnancy, the New York Times reported
Wednesday.
Jaclyn Kurr testified that after Antonia Pena punched her
in the stomach, she felt obligated to protect her 16 to 17 week old fetus from
danger. She was convicted in lower court of manslaughter and sentenced to 5 – 20
years in prison.
However, the Michigan Court of Appeals has reversed her
conviction and ordered a new trial.
In a ruling that’s sure to prompt hissy fits from the
pro-choice crowd, the court said, “A pregnant woman may use deadly force to
protect her fetus even when she does not fear for her own life.” [Full
story]
