Center for Medical Progress members indicted over Planned Parenthood videos
A grand jury in Harry County convened to investigate whether or not Planned Parenthood had sold organs of aborted fetuses, finally deciding to indict two Center for Medical Progress members who made undercover videos of the organization.
David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt were charged with a felony, tampering with governmental records, and misdemeanor related to purchasing human organs. The charges may land the pair behind bars for up to 20 years.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ordered the investigation after several undercover videos were released. The Center for Medical Progress released the video in an attempt to prove that Planned Parenthood was making money out of tissue reimbursement fees. Planned Parenthood denied such allegations and said that all their transactions are legal, as reported by CNN.
Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson released a statement regarding the indictments, noting that the investigation lasted for more than two months. The grand jury that indicted two CMP members also probed Planned Parenthood but concluded that the organization committed no wrongdoing.
On Tuesday, legal experts say that the indictment of the two anti-abortion activists might be less about sending someone to prison than about expressing disapproval for how the pair conducted their inquiry.
The footage showed Planned Parenthood officials joking and laughing while talking about negotiations for the delivery of intact baby organs such as hearts, lungs, trachea, brains, and livers.
Washington Post reported that Attorney Devon said that the State of Texas will continue to protect life, and will continue to support legislation prohibiting the transfer or sale of fetal tissue.
David Daleiden issued a statement saying CMP uses the same undercover techniques as investigative journalists and commits no illegal doings. Daleiden underlined that the group followed all applicable laws.
The website of Harris County District Clerks said that a warrant for Daleiden had been issued. Daleiden's account in Twiter identifies his residence as Irvine California, where Center for Medical Progress is located.
David Daleiden's attorney, Murphy Klasing said Merritt and his client would travel from their homes in California to Texas to plead not guilty to the charges. The Center for Medical Progress insisted that Planned Parenthood officials have obviously admitted in the footages that they were selling fetal organs for profit.
Eric Ferrero, a Planned Parenthood spokesman said that it becomes totally clear that the only people who engaged in wrongdoing are the criminals behind this fraud.
Melaney Linton, CEO of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast lauded the indictments and added that these claims from CMP are complete false and unfounded.
