Charges have been dismissed against pro-life activists who were arrested after attempting to save lives at a New Jersey Planned Parenthood in 2018.
A press release from the Thomas More Society announced that the “Trenton Four” were able to see victory thanks to a novel legal defense.
Fr. Fidelis Moscinski (a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal), Will Goodman, Patrice Woodward, and Matthew Connolly participated in a Red Rose Rescue on December 22, 2018. The four of them staged a peaceful sit-in at a New Jersey Planned Parenthood facility and participated in the rescue; a Red Rose Rescue typically consists of quietly and peacefully giving women in an abortion facility a red rose and literature containing information about abortion and other life-affirming options.
All four were arrested and charged with defiant trespass.
Thomas More Society Special Counsel Christopher Ferrara used an unusual defense in the case, arguing that their activism was based in necessity. He argued that the women considering abortion had not been given information they needed about abortion in order to truly have informed consent, including information about the potentially serious psychological consequences of abortion.
“The argument here was unusual in that it did not focus on defense of life but rather on the lack of informed consent to abortion, for which women have the right to sue for damages in New Jersey,” Ferrara said. “The dismissal of all charges against these courageous pro-life advocates brings to an end the long saga of this case. One can only admire the willingness of these four to make an offering of their own bodies, as prisoners, to save the unborn. Repeatedly they have immolated themselves for the sake of innocent life, even at the cost of arrest and imprisonment in the tradition of civil disobedience that brought about the success of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. This time, however, they were spared that penalty.”
Moscinski praised Ferrara and the Thomas More Society for helping defend their pro-life witness.
“Before all charges were dismissed, the judge allowed us to assert the defense of necessity at the upcoming trial,” he said. “Now that will not be necessary. Ultimately, the prosecutor asked for our charges of trespass to be dismissed. We are grateful for the remarkably effective representation of Christopher Ferrara and the support of the Thomas More Society. May we see many more such victories for the cause of life!”
