Listen to “Attorney: Judge Forced Jury to Side with Planned Parenthood” on Spreaker.
On Friday, a federal jury in California ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood and against David Daleiden, Sandra Merritt and the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) in a civil case stemming from the group’s 2015 undercover videos depicting Planned Parenthood officials and others casually discussing the crushing of unborn babies and the selling of fetal body parts for profit.
However, it’s the Center for Medical Progress facing civil and criminal charges for exposing Planned Parenthood’s activities. The jury ordered CMP to pay Planned Parenthood more than $2 million in compensation and punitive damages. The verdict is being appealed at the same time both sides are preparing for the criminal trial of Daleiden and Merritt.
Merritt is represented by Liberty Counsel. Chairman Mathew Staver says he is not at all surprised by Friday’s verdict one he saw the jury instructions from Judge William Orrick.
Listen to the podcast to hear why Staver believes the judge left no other option for the jury but to punish CMP and why he is appalled that Orrick did not recuse himself from the case. Staver also explains the legal road ahead and what he believes the consequences will be for free speech and a free press if Planned Parenthood ultimately wins these cases.
