Dr. Kermit Gosnell, convicted of killing babies at Philadelphia abortion clinic, dies at 85
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dr. Kermit Gosnell, abortion clinic doctor, sentenced to prison life The suspect accused of killing three live-born babies died at a Pennsylvania hospital earlier this month, prison officials said Monday.
Gosnell’s dirty West Philadelphia clinic became known as the “house of horrors.” The former employees testified that he routinely performed illegal abortions beyond Pennsylvania’s 24-week limit, gave birth to babies that were still moving, whining or breathing, and that he and his assistants killed newborns by, in his words, “cutting” their spines.
Gosnell, 85, died March 1 at a hospital outside the prison system, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Maria Bivens said. He was last incarcerated at State Correctional Institution-Smithfield, about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Gosnell portrayed herself as an advocate for poor and helpless women. In addition to three counts of first-degree murder, he was convicted of numerous other crimes, including violations of Pennsylvania’s abortion laws.
Conditions at his clinic became known during a 2010 investigation into prescription drug trafficking. Investigators described a foul-smelling place full of bags and bottles full of fetuses, jars full of body parts, as well as blood-stained furniture and dirty medical instruments.
When Gosnell’s facility was raided, state officials had not conducted routine inspections of all abortion clinics for 15 years. In the wake of the scandal, two top state health officials were fired and Pennsylvania imposed stricter rules on clinics.
Gosnell did not testify at his 2013 trial, but defense lawyer argued none fetuses that he was born alive and that all movements were twitching or spasms after his death.
