[Update: in July 2016, the Houston District Attorney dropped all charges agianst Daleiden & Merritt, after a June decision by a judge to dismiss one of the charges.]
A Texas grand jury has indicted David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt for alleged offenses related to the Center for Medical Progress videos about Planned Parenthood’s body-parts business. The same grand jury found nothing for which to indict the local PP affiliate. It was beyond the grand jury’s scope to look at any other affiliate.
CMP’s statement on the indictment:
“The Center for Medical Progress uses the same undercover techniques that investigative journalists have used for decades in exercising our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and of the press, and follows all applicable laws. We respect the processes of the Harris County District Attorney, and note that buying fetal tissue requires a seller as well. Planned Parenthood still cannot deny the admissions from their leadership about fetal organ sales captured on video for all the world to see.”
This is not the last word, but the indictment may well have a chilling effect on anyone doing the essential work of showing life on the inside of the nation’s principal abortion provider.
Abby Johnson, for one, sees something good coming from this. “I’m personally excited about the discovery that will take place against Planned Parenthood. And yes, if laws were broken by David or anyone else, then that will also come out. But we may finally get the truth out about Planned Parenthood. And that’s what we need to be praying for.”
Leaven for the Loaf 