Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Sep 15, 2023 / 20:20 pm
Three pro-life activists who took part in an October 2022 “rescue” in a Washington, D.C., abortion facility were each found guilty of felonies that could land them up to 11 years in prison and fines as much as $350,000.
The verdict follows a separate trial in which five other pro-life activists were also found guilty.
The activists — 74-year-old Joan Bell, 73-year-old Jean Marshall, and 41-year-old Jonathan Darnel — were indicted on felony conspiracy against rights and violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, also known as the FACE Act. The FACE Act increased penalties for people who accost or obstruct women who are seeking abortion at clinics or pregnancy resource centers.
According to the Department of Justice, the three activists engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade of an abortion clinic.