Justice Thomas Blocks Inmate's Abortion Request

[Lethalfind]

Justice Thomas Blocks Inmate's Abortion Request

Missouri Judge Ruled Woman Has Right to Procedure

 

POSTED: 8:26 am EDT October 15, 2005

UPDATED: 8:30 am EDT October 15, 2005

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An attorney for a pregnant inmate who wants an abortion said time is running out for his client to have the procedure while the courts decide her case.

 

The U.S. Supreme Court late Friday temporarily blocked a federal judge's ruling that ordered Missouri prison officials to drive the woman to a clinic on Saturday for an abortion.

 

Justice Clarence Thomas, acting alone, granted the temporary stay pending a further decision by himself or the full court.

 

Missouri state law forbids spending tax dollars to facilitate an abortion. However, U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple ruled Thursday that the prison system was blocking the woman from exercising her right to an abortion and ordered that the woman be taken to the clinic Saturday.

 

The woman's attorney, James Felakos of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in court papers that the woman is running out of time because she is 16 weeks to 17 weeks pregnant, and Missouri bars abortions after 22 weeks.

 

The woman, whose name was not disclosed in court papers, has said she will borrow money for the abortion from friends and family but cannot afford to pay for transportation.

 

Under a policy adopted in July, Missouri's prison system does not provide transportation or security for inmates seeking abortions. The policy is based on a state law that prohibits the spending of public funds "for the purpose of performing or assisting an abortion not necessary to save the life of the mother."

 

State officials argued that their policy is reasonable because of the costs and security risks of transporting inmates outside for procedures officials said are not medically necessary.

 

Justice Thomas handles appeals from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Missouri. He could lift the stay over the weekend, after reviewing more legal arguments.

[angie]

She has no business having an abortion that late in pregnancy anyhow. It's ridiculous that the law allows abortion up to 22 weeks. A baby born at 24 weeks (6 months) has a chance of survival outside the womb. That's disgusting.

[Lethalfind]

I don't think the state should have to pay for a persons abortion, no matter how far along she is.

This is an interesting issue, one I had not seen.

I wanted to share it because I thought it would provoke alot of conversation.

[TWorld PoliceA]

Should have killed the baby (and the mother while they were at it), would have been one less (or two) that we would be having to support anyway.

 

On a nicer note, I wonder what that kid will think when they get 10/12 years old and learn how close their mother came to and wanted to killing them...LOL

[manicmonday]

I don't believe in abortion in any shape or form, however, I wonder if she was pregnate before she went to jail? Was she raped in jail? Whatever, I wouldn't want my tax payers money to pay for transportation to the clinic, and the guards involved to do it. I wonder if they suggested committing suicide, if she would agree, since she believes in murder of a least one person???

[angie]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/10/17/scotus.abortion.ap/index.html

Request granted.