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Abortion provider Kermit Gosnell sentenced to three life prison terms | Abortion provider Kermit Gosnell sentenced to three life prison terms |
(35 minutes later) | |
An abortion doctor convicted of killing three babies by cutting their spines in illegal late-term abortions has received three life prison sentences. | An abortion doctor convicted of killing three babies by cutting their spines in illegal late-term abortions has received three life prison sentences. |
Dr Kermit Gosnell, 72, of Philadelphia, received a third life sentence a day after two others were handed down. | |
He waived his right to appeal in a deal to spare him the death penalty. The consecutive sentences mean Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. | |
The graphic case was seized on by both sides of the abortion debate. | The graphic case was seized on by both sides of the abortion debate. |
At Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, he was also sentenced to two to five years in prison for the overdose death of a patient. | |
Gosnell performed thousands of abortions over a career spanning three decades. Officials said his medical practice netted him about $1.8m (£1.1m) a year, but he ran an outdated, dirty clinic with unlicensed and unqualified staff. | |
Former staff members of the clinic testified that he had routinely performed illegal late-term abortions past Pennsylvania's 24-week limit. | Former staff members of the clinic testified that he had routinely performed illegal late-term abortions past Pennsylvania's 24-week limit. |
The trial heard how Gosnell, who was convicted on Monday, would deliver babies alive then use scissors to "snip" - as he referred to it - their spines. | |
Four additional counts of murder were dropped during the trial, with a judge citing a lack of evidence. | Four additional counts of murder were dropped during the trial, with a judge citing a lack of evidence. |