Abortion doc’s wife seeks lower bail

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The wife of a Philadelphia abortion doctor will ask a judge Friday to lower her $1 million bail and allow her to leave prison to await trial.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell is charged with murder in the death of a 41-year-old patient and seven babies allegedly born alive and then killed. The murder charge makes the 70-year-old physician ineligible for bail.

Gosnell, his wife, Pearl, and eight others are charged with running what authorities call a filthy “house of horrors.” Authorities say they performed illegal late-term abortions, hoarded fetal remains and violated countless medical protocols.

Defense lawyer Mary Maran represents 50-year-old Pearl Gosnell. Maran calls her client a pawn in the effort to convict her husband.

Several low-level employees at the West Philadelphia clinic have been released on bail.