Fetal homicide bill seeks justice for unborn children
The attack on Michelle Wilkins, whose fetus was cut from her womb, is shedding new light on a fetal homicide bill that’s being introduced in Denver this week.
A republican from Colorado Springs says that attack highlights a huge gap in Colorado’s justice system, one that can no longer be ignored.
KRDO spoke with Mike McDivitt, a lawyer in Colorado Springs, who says the fetal homicide bill isn’t as simple as some may think.
“It’s important to do something about people who did this sort of thing it’s ridiculous, it’s beyond the humane pale. People need to understand that if we do this and call this a murder charge, we must admit we’re on the slippery slope of saying the fetus is a person,” said McDivitt.
23 states have fetal homicide laws that apply to the earliest stages of pregnancy; Colorado is not one of them.
Colorado Senate President Bill Cadman from Colorado Springs says his proposal would extend murder charges to the deaths of “unborn children.”
“A lady had a baby that was killed. Where’s the justice for that baby?” said Cadman.
Under Cadman’s bill, if someone committed a criminal act that kills an unborn baby, against the will of the mother then it would be considered murder.
Other lawmakers argue that the bill is the same as the ‘personhood’ amendments, which tried to define a fetus in the womb, as a person.
“This points out how complex, complicated and how emotional this bill is,” said McDivitt.
The ‘personhood’ bills have failed in Colorado several times- many getting caught up in the abortion debate.
However Cadman insists his proposal is different- saying it would still protect a woman’s right to choose.
“It doesn’t call into question anyone rights over their own body. We plan to criminalize the act of hurting or killing an unborn baby that’s outside of the choice of the mom,” said Cadman.
Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs also sent us a statement about the bill saying, “Colorado’s current law is inadequate as evidenced by the horrific case in Longmont. Colorado lawmakers have the opportunity to correct this tragic injustice and pass a law that protects the lives of both mother and child.”
KRDO will of course keep you updated on the bill that reaches the capitol Wednesday.
