Kline's Abortion Charges Dismissed

By TChris, Section Court Decisions
Posted on Sat Dec 23, 2006 at 07:00:22 PM EST
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Phill Kline was voted out of office as the Attorney General of Kansas by citizens who rejected his mindless crusade against abortion providers and their patients. He should have spent his last weeks in office sitting quietly or taking some vacation time. At the very least, he should have respected his successor's request not to file abortion-related charges before leaving office.

Instead, Kline filed charges (pdf) against an abortion provider for performing unlawful late term abortions. The charges were the culmination of a controversial investigation that relied on subpoenas to review private medical records.

Fortunately for the doctor, a judge ruled that Kline exceeded his authority and almost immediately dismissed the charges. The district attorney argued that Kline could not act as a prosecutor in her county without being invited. Translation: go away, Phill.

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Kline's Abortion Charges Dismissed | 6 comments (6 topical)

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abortion dismissal (none / 0) (#1)
by diogenes on Sat Dec 23, 2006 at 10:43:43 PM EST

But did the doctor break the law in allegedly using "depression" as a diagnosis to justify late term abortions?

If a local district attorney doesn't prosecute a possible rapist, for example, would the attorney general or anyone else in the state have jurisdiction to act? Maybe not. Then the thought of having one's destiny controlled by the unchecked likes of Joe Nifong is quite unsettling.

: Depression (none / 0) (#2)
by aw on Sat Dec 23, 2006 at 11:59:25 PM EST

has historically been a reason to allow abortions of all types, since way back before Roe. Mental health exemptions were common, depending on the state and the committees who heard the claims. "Depression" is a real medical diagnosis, by the way. These women are suicidal.
Ignorant busibodies...

: Simple answers to simple questions (none / 0) (#6)
by Sailor on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 10:50:34 PM EST

But did the doctor break the law in allegedly using "depression" as a diagnosis to justify late term abortions?
No.

A triumph for commonsense and a... (none / 0) (#4)
by Bill Arnett on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 01:08:39 PM EST

...decent regard for humanity over bigotry, religious fanaticism, overzealous louts in a position of power, and those who would arrogate unto themselves the power to control the life and body of a fellow human being.

Kansas has rejoined the real world.

Good riddance (none / 0) (#5)
by scarshapedstar on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 03:09:20 PM EST

To a bad person.

gosh guys, (none / 0) (#7)
by cpinva on Wed Dec 27, 2006 at 01:51:12 AM EST

i wouldn't go betting the rent money on it. mr. kline will resurface in another election, for the kansas state legislature, or gov., that you can bet on.

bear in mind, kansas is a state where many citizens are confused about the difference between the origin of life, and the evolution of species, equating the two.

the concept of women having a say about their own bodies may just be wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much for these to people to get their minds wrapped around.

and phil kline is just the man to help keep them unwrapped.