Md. murder charges dropped for abortion doctors


March 6, 2012 at 5:27p.m.

Md. murder charges dropped for abortion doctors

ELKTON, Md. (AP) — Maryland prosecutors have dismissed murder charges against two out-of-state abortion doctors citing conflicts in expert testimony.

State’s Attorney Ellis Rollins dismissed charges today against Drs. Steven Brigham of New Jersey and Nicola Riley of Utah. They had been charged under a Maryland law that allows prosecutors to pursue murder charges in the death of a viable fetus.

The law had not previously been used against abortion doctors. Attorneys for both doctors argued that they were immune from prosecution, but prosecutors indicated they believed any killing of a viable fetus is homicide.