Prosecution calls more witnesses in day two of pro-life rescuers’ federal trial

August 17 marked the second day of witness testimony in the federal trial of five pro-life activists – Lauren Handy, Will Goodman, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, and Herb Geraghty – who are charged with both conspiracy to interfere with civil rights and FACE Act violations in connection with a rescue action at the D.C.-based Washington Surgi-Clinic abortion facility in October of 2020. The facility in question is run by Dr. Cesare Santangelo, who was featured in Live Action’s InHuman investigation stating that if a child was born alive in his facility during an abortion, “we would not help it.” 

Much of the day was filled with testimony from Caroline Davis, who participated in the Washington Surgi-Clinic rescue action as well as other rescue actions, including one in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Davis was indicted for her participation in the Sterling Heights rescue, but made a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in which she agreed to testify against other rescuers, including those who participated in the D.C. action, in exchange for a reduction in the gravity of the charges against her (a felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor). 

Notable about Davis’ testimony was her description of rescue actions as attempts by pro-lifers to interpose their bodies between the potential victims (i.e., preborn children) and their potential killers (i.e., abortion facility workers). Davis emphasized the non-violent nature of rescue, and described the attitudes and motivations of those who participate in such actions as “loving.” 

Davis stated that, during the period she was participating in rescue actions, she felt the Holy Spirit was guiding her to do so, but that she has since had a change of heart. “I used to believe that my beliefs and religious perspective superseded the law,” she said, adding that she now believes “abortion can be ended by abiding by the law.”

READ: Witness testimony in federal trial of pro-life rescuers begins, with court’s bias on display

Other government witnesses on day two included a woman who went to the Washington Surgi-Clinic on the day of the rescue to complete an abortion, which she and her husband decided to obtain after her preborn child was diagnosed with fetal anomalies; Metro Police Department Sgt. Gregory Alemian, who previously arrested Lauren Handy for a rescue action in March of 2019; and Alexandria Police Officer Robert Honaker, who was an arresting officer at a rescue action carried out in November of 2021. 

Last to testify was FBI Special Agent Michael Biscardi, who was involved in the federal investigation of the October 2020 rescue action at the Washington Surgi-Clinic, for which the defendants are on trial. Prosecution exhibits presented during Biscardi’s testimony included social media posts and text messages obtained from defendants, many of which emphasized the life-saving intentions of the rescuers. One message read: “We are putting our bodies on the line to save babies.”

Witness testimony will resume on Monday, August 21.