Teen charged in fetuses' deaths

Houston Chronicle ^ | May 8, 2004 | AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

LUFKIN -- A Lufkin High School student has been charged with murder after police say he killed his unborn twin sons by beating his pregnant girlfriend.

Gerardo Flores, 18, was arrested Friday afternoon by Lufkin police after his 16-year-old girlfriend delivered twin boys stillborn at home and sought medical attention at an East Texas hospital, an arrest affidavit states. The teen was five months pregnant.

It could be one of the first cases prosecuted under a new Texas law that changes the definition of human life for a murder charge, The Lufkin Daily News reported today. Texas law now defines an embryo or fetus as an "individual" and allows for criminal prosecution or civil court action to be carried out for injury or death to the fetus, unless it results from a medical procedure.

Flores is being held on a $250,000 bail. If convicted, he faces from five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

A doctor noticed a large bruise on the teen's abdomen along with bruises on her face and arms. She denied anyone had beaten her, the affidavit states.

Court records indicate Flores admitted that he "may have hit her in the face and in the stomach" during a fight in their bedroom. She gave birth to the boys in the bathroom before an ambulance arrived.

The teen's condition was not available Friday afternoon.

[Straight Vermonter]

See also here

[Susannah]

"Texas law now defines an embryo or fetus as an "individual" and allows for criminal prosecution or civil court action to be carried out for injury or death to the fetus, unless it results from a medical procedure."

Wow, I didn't know states could make laws defining the unborn as individuals. This will be an interesting case to follow. Such a sad story, though.

[animamea]

Good for the state of Texas for recognizing that the unborn are living "individuals." Let's hope and pray that other states will recognize that the unborn are people with the right to live. Pro-life groups across the nation must continue to be vocal and active.

It's too bad that the punishment the young man may incur if convicted is only 5 years and $10,000. He should be put away for life for killing two helpless little babies and beating their mother.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks. I didn't have the search title.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

April 2, 2004 - Bush signs bill making it crime to harm fetus - Laci Peterson's family at ceremony - "This little soul never saw light, but he is loved and he is remembered," the president said. "All who knew Laci Peterson have mourned two deaths and the law cannot look away and pretend there was just one."

Bush gave the bill, an important one to many in his conservative base, the first elaborate signing ceremony of the year.

"As of today, the law of our nation will acknowledge the plain fact that crimes of violence against a pregnant woman often have two victims," Bush said. "Therefore, in those cases, there are two offenses to be punished."

The bill passed by a 245-163 vote in the House and by a 61-38 margin in the Senate.

People on both sides of the fetal rights and abortion issue have said the new law will have far-reaching consequences.***

May 23, 2003 - TX Senate passes bill giving legal standing to fetuses ***AUSTIN – Texas would give a fetus legal standing in court under a bill the Senate approved Thursday.

People who kill or injure a fetus could be prosecuted for murder, assault or intoxication manslaughter under Texas law for the first time. The bill also would allow a parent to sue for civil damages for the wrongful death of an unborn child.

An individual is defined in the bill to include an unborn child at every stage of gestation from fertilization to birth. ***

[animamea]

Thanks! Where have I been? I guess I'd forgotten.

[coconutt2000]

I must say that I am pro-choice... I believe in the women's right to choose whether or not to have unprotected sex. I believe it is the women's right to choose within the 6-8 weeks of her pregnancy to allow the embryo to develop further. Once that time period is past, I believe it is the right of the unborn child to be born.

I mean... Does anyone think that a woman who misses her period for a month and possibly two months is not going to get a pregnancy test?

The laws protecting late term fetuses is a step in the right direction. Perhaps given time it will be expanded to include mid-term fetuses as well.

And if a liberal complains... Tell them it protects pregnant women from violence as well as protecting the unborn children. Only an idiot would argue against something so obviously humane.

Mahalo

[jocon307]

He must have worked her over pretty good to cause this. Didn't he know babies can only be killed by certified baby killers, who at least don't pummel the mother, even if she sometimes dies too?

What a pig this young man is, I hope he is convicted, jailed, and the key thrown away.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[garylmoore]

Wow, I didn't know states could make laws defining the unborn as individuals

---

They shouldn't have to make a law to what is already a fact.

[TigersEye]

I believe it is the women's right to choose within the 6-8 weeks of her pregnancy to allow the embryo to develop further. Once that time period is past, I believe it is the right of the unborn child to be born.

Two weeks may not seem like much to you but which is it? 6 weeks or 8 weeks? It's a life or death question for the 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 week old person.

[skinkinthegrass]

It seems, That many in the pro-Death crowd is moving toward pro-Life...lets' not stop it. :))

[TigersEye]

I wouldn't dream of it. : )