Gosnell Guilty on 3 Counts of First-Degree Murder

Jury in Philadelphia abortion doctor trial reaches verdicts.

A few minutes after hearing the guilty verdicts against him, while attorneys huddled with the judge, Kermit Gosnell continued to shake his head in disbelief. Alternating between derisive snorts, and a bemused, sometimes bitter-looking smile, Gosnell stared into the jury box, seemingly unable to accept what had just happened to him—or what he faces next. Gosnell will face a death penalty hearing, beginning May 21st, after being found guilty by a jury of six women and six men, in the first degree homicide of three babies born alive in his abortion clinic. Gosnell was also convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death...

Gosnell Jury Breaks for Weekend Without Verdict

Jurors were excused for the weekend late today, with no verdict in the multiple homicide trial of Kermit Gosnell today. The jurors did ask several questions today suggesting they had moved considerably down the verdict sheet supplied by the court. Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart's decision to let the jurors go early, at 3 p.m., could also be interpreted as a sign he believes they have made at least acceptable progress in their deliberations of the 200-plus charges against Gosnell, the West Philadelphia abortion doctor who faces four first degree homicide charges in the deaths of four late-term babies, and a...

Gosnell Attorney Tells Jury “House of Horrors” Is Exaggeration

The defense made closing argument in the multiple murder trial of Kermit Gosnell today, and the Philadelphia abortion doctor's attorney, Jack McMahon, was briefly funny and mostly furious. McMahon directed a long, two-hour-plus attack at what he continually referred to as "the tsunami"—a storm of publicity that erased any notion Gosnell might be innocent. When Gosnell's trial began eight weeks ago, he faced seven counts of first degree homicide for allegedly killing seven live-born babies with surgical scissors. He faced one count of third degree homicide in the death of Karnamaya Mongar, a woman who came to him seeking an abortion...

Gosnell Defense Rests Without Calling Witnesses

From Philly Mag writer Steve Volk, who has been covering the trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell: "Gosnell defense rests after calling no witnesses. Closing arguments will begin on Monday." For more on the trial, read Steve's "Inside the Trial of Abortion Doctor Kermit Gosnell" and "Abortion Doctor Kermit Gosnell Now Faces Fewer Homicide Charges."

Gosnell Judge Reverses Ruling: Abortion Doctor Gets Acquittal for “Baby F,” Not “Baby C”

At the trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell this morning, Judge Jeffrey Minehart amended yesterday's decision on one of the first degree homicide counts he kicked. Instead of acquitting Gosnell on the count of first degree homicide of "Baby C," he clarified, he meant to acquit Gosnell on homicide charges for "Baby F." As a result, the charge for Baby C will go to the jury. The judge's mistake underscores the prosecution's challenge in this case: Prosecutors must lash together a complicated tangle of anecdotes to prove seven—now four—specific homicide cases. Philly Mag's Steve Volk is in the Gosnell courtroom....

Abortion Doctor Kermit Gosnell Now Faces Fewer Homicide Charges

Defense attorney points out weakness in prosecution’s case.

[UPDATE 4/24/13 10:40 a.m.: This morning, Minehart reversed his acquittal of charges related to "Baby C," and clarified he meant to acquit Gosnell on homicide charges for “Baby F.” Details: "Gosnell Judge Reverses Ruling."] When Judge Jeffrey Minehart issued his ruling today, acquitting Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell of three of seven first degree homicide charges, the ruling demonstrated a prosecution weakness that had become apparent over the last several weeks. Numerous eyewitnesses from Gosnell's West Philadelphia abortion clinic testified to seeing various babies move or breathe or give some sign of life. Some testified to seeing numerous babies with a heartbeat. The heartbeat of a newborn is unmistakeable—the heart pounding, visibly, within a baby's chest. But they have been able to present relatively little evidence about specific babies they clearly saw alive and then killed by Gosnell, or a staffer acting under his direction.

Gosnell Trial News: Judge Grants Motion for Acquittal on 3 Homicide Charges

In the trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell Tuesday morning, Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart granted a motion for acquittal on three first degree homicide charges. (The prosecution's case against Gosnell involves eight alleged homicides related to abortion services at the doctor's West Philadelphia clinic, including seven newborn babies the prosecution claims Gosnell killed with surgical scissors.) Defense attorney Jack McMahon argued that the judge should dismiss virtually all charges against Gosnell, claiming the prosecution had not met its burden of proof to show that any of the babies were born alive. After a half-hour recess, Minehart agreed that the commonwealth...

Gosnell Employee Took Photos of Clinic’s Horrors

Kareema Cross worked for West Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell for roughly four years, drawing blood, giving medications and working in the procedure room where abortions were performed. But over time she could tell something was wrong. And her conscience drove her into action. One day, in October 2008, Cross took pictures. She got shots of piles of syringes left lying unpackaged in the open air, awaiting use; of blood-stained leg rests on Gosnell's gynecological table; of severed baby's feet, preserved in specimen jars, 50 of them, their tiny toes poking out delicate and recognizeable from the murk of formaldehyde solution....

Gosnell Trial: Prosecution Expects to Rest its Case Thursday

As court proceedings in the trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell ended for the day on Wednesday, prosecutor Ed Cameron announced the commonwealth expects to rest its case by close of business tomorrow. [READ: "Inside the Trial of Abortion Doctor Kermit Gosnell"] The statement provoked smiles of relief from jurors who have endured five weeks of incredibly graphic testimony. The day closed with long questioning of witness Latosha Lewis, a longtime employee of Gosnell's who pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in connection with the investigation of Gosnell's clinic at 3801 Lancaster Ave. Gosnell is alleged to have instructed unlicensed...