It may have taken 30 years, but the process of justice for the women who went to Gosnell's clinic is moving swiftly. Mongar's family is suing the city of Philadelphia over her death; they have also filed a civil suit against Gosnell. Other malpractice suits are under way as well.
Gosnell, his wife, and eight members of his staff have been charged by the city for their actions at the clinic. Most have pleaded guilty to reduced charges. Below is a breakdown of the charges.
Kermit Gosnell, 70, is charged with eight counts of murder -- one for Mrs. Mongar and one each for Baby Boy A, Baby Girl A, Baby Boy B, Baby C, Baby D, Baby E, Baby F and Baby G. He is also charged with multiple counts of infanticide, drug delivery resulting in death, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, abuse of a corpse, racketeering, theft by deception, participating in corrupt organizations, Controlled Substances Act violations, obstruction, tampering with evidence, hindering prosecution, and abortion at 24 or more weeks.
Gosnell's wife,
Pearl Gosnell, was charged with abortion at 24 or more weeks, conspiracy and participating in corrupt organizations. She pleaded guilty on Dec 13, 2011 to performing an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy, two counts of conspiracy and participating in a corrupt organization. Her original Feb 15, 2012 sentencing date was deferred to March 21, 2012, when it will again be deferred until Sept. 12, 2012.
Lynda Williams, 42, was charged with murder in the 3rd degree, conspiracy, abortion at 24 or more weeks, participating in corrupt organizations, drug delivery resulting in death and related charges. On November 9, 2011, Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in the 3rd degree, two counts of conspiracy, participating in corrupt organizations and drug delivery resulting in death. Her sentencing is set for March 21, 2012.
Sherry West, 51, was charged with murder in the 3rd degree for the death of Mrs. Mongar, abortion at 24 or more weeks, conspiracy, tampering with records, hindering prosecution, obstructing administration of law and other related offenses. She pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2011, to murder in the 3rd degree, conspiracy, drug delivery resulting in death, and participating in corrupt organizations. Her sentencing is set for Sept. 12, 2012.
Adrienne Moton, 33, was charged with murder in the 3rd degree, conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and participating in corrupt organizations. She pleaded guilty on Oct 27, 2011, to Murder in 3rd Degree, conspiracy and participating in corrupt organizations. Her original Feb 15, 2012 sentencing date was deferred to March 21, 2012, when it will again be deferred until Sept. 12, 2012.
Dr. Gosnell's sister-in-law, 51-year-old
Elizabeth Hampton was charged with obstructing administration of law, hindering prosecution, perjury, and false swearing. She pleaded guilty on Oct 13, 2011 to perjury. Her sentencing is set for Sept. 12, 2012.
Eileen O'Neill, 54, is a medical school graduate who worked as doctor at the clinic. She had no license or certification. She was charged with theft by deception, conspiracy, perjury, racketeering and false swearing.
Tina Baldwin, 45, was charged with participating in corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and corruption of a minor. According to the DA, she allowed her teenage daughter to administer anesthesia. She pleaded guilty on Nov 14, 2011, to participating in corrupt organization, conspiracy, and corruption of a minor. One conspiracy charge was dropped.
53-year-old
Maddline Joe was charged with conspiracy and participating in corrupt organizations. She was the office manager at the clinic. Her trial is scheduled for March 14, 2013. Pre-trial hearings will start August 13, 2012.
An unlicensed medical school graduate,
Steven Massoff, 48, was charged with3rd degree murder in deaths of two babies, conspiracy, theft by deception and participating in corrupt organizations. He pleaded guilty on December 13, 2011 to both counts of 3rd degree murder, conspiracy and participating in corrupt organizations.
District Attorney Seth Williams, who oversaw the Grand Jury report, told reporters "I am aware that abortion is a hot-button topic, but as district attorney, my job is to carry out the law. A doctor who knowingly and systematically mistreats female patients, to the point that one of them dies in his so-called care, commits murder under the law."
Perhaps the good doctor didn't understand what he was doing was wrong. It seems impossible.
At the time of his arraignment, the AP reported that Gosnell didn't understand why he was being charged with eight murders. He told a magistrate. "I understand the one count, because a patient died, but I didn't understand the seven counts."
