Tragic cases often spur fetal homicide laws
Save Email Print
Posted: 7:44 PM Jun 29, 2008
Tragic cases often spur fetal homicide laws
Indianapolis, IN
In Indiana, the law allows prosecutors to file murder charges in the death of a fetus, but only if the mom's at least seven months pregnant. Bank teller Katherin Shuffield was five months pregnant.
Reporter: The Associated Press
Font Size:

Indiana could become a battleground state for the debate on killing fetuses.

A bank robber shot a pregnant Indianapolis bank teller during a robbery April 22nd, and she lost her twin fetuses. The alleged gunman, Brian Kendrick, faces four to 16 years in prison if convicted on two counts of killing a fetus -- a penalty that Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi and some state lawmakers say isn't enough.

In Indiana, the law allows prosecutors to file murder charges in the death of a fetus, but only if the mom's at least seven months pregnant. Teller Katherin Shuffield was five months pregnant.

Republican state Senator Jim Merritt of Indianapolis plans to sponsor a bill that would amend the law to cover a fetus at any stage of development.

Conservative groups say such legislation is needed. But abortion rights activists say fetal homicide laws can become a backdoor way to determine that life legally begins at conception.



WNDU News Poll
There are currently no active polls at this time.
Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results.