After Outcry, Grisly Trial of Abortion Doctor Gets Notice

Kermit Gosnell accused of murdering viable fetuses
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 16, 2013 1:38 PM CDT
After Outcry, Grisly Trial of Abortion Doctor Gets Notice
In this undated photo released by the Philadelphia District Attorney's office, Dr. Kermit Gosnell is shown.   (AP Photo/Philadelphia Police Department via Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, File)

Dr. Kermit Gosnell, the abortion provider accused of murdering seven viable fetuses and causing the death of one pregnant woman in a botched procedure, has been on trial for four weeks. But, despite the grisly charges, the trial has received mostly local attention until now, the New York Times reports. That fact spurred a massive outcry in the last week, with critics asserting the national media was ignoring the trial because it revolves around a late-term abortion reality that pro-choice advocates would rather not discuss. The media responded by swarming the court yesterday, where major newspaper and TV network reporters heard disturbing testimony from the Philadelphia medical examiner who had examined the remains of 47 fetuses—which were found in locations including a juice carton and a pet food container.

The USA Today column that kicked off the furor, which is referenced in this story, was picked up by other commentators, and the complaint about the lack of coverage made its way to Twitter. But even some of the conservative media had barely covered the story before the outcry, as a Mother Jones political blogger pointed out. The NYT notes that it was "one of the few national outlets to report on the opening of the trial March 18." (Newser ran a story the next morning.) But now it's everywhere; the trial is expected to go on another month. (More Kermit Gosnell stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X