|
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 |
|
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. |
- Robbery suspect who warmed baby's bottle arrested
- Indiana church sign about Allah raises objections
- Victim positively ID'd in South Dakota slaying
- Manchester professor named Indiana professor of the year
- Report: 6 in Ind. died from swine flu last week
- Man convicted in slayings of 7 faces life sentence
- Residents offer rewards in search of dog's killer
- Indiana top justice lends name to Evansville academy
- Three Henry County corrections employees arrested
- Indiana prison cuts out lunches on 3 days per week
- Indiana church sign about Allah raises objections
7 Comments - Residents offer rewards in search of dog's killer
6 Comments - Mother of toddler found near candy store arrested
3 Comments - IU geologist: Moon water discovery 'remarkable'
3 Comments - Indiana gets $4 million grants to help autoworkers
3 Comments - Indiana's Oct. unemployment rate at 9.8 percent
3 Comments






