The new year has brought attention to the all too common injustices against pregnant women. Scott Peterson has been convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of his 8-month pregnant wife and their unborn child. Lisa Montgomery made the news because of her atrocious attack on a pregnant woman—killing the mother and then stealing her unborn baby. These injustices remind us how hard we must work to ensure that all our citizens are respected. Texas Right to Life will have a larger staff than ever working in Austin during this legislative session to ensure just that. We hope to continue the success that we saw during the last legislative session.
Please read this issue of the Pro-Life Update carefully to understand some of the challenges we now face and how you--an educated Pro-Lifer--can help advance the Culture of Life. Please share this information with your family, friends and church congregations. Make copies. Spread the news.
Pro-Life Legislative Agenda for Texas’ 79th Legislative Session
In addition to continuing our work to educate the public, Texas Right to Life will work hard to promote strong Pro-Life legislation during the 79th Legislative Session, which commenced January 11th in Austin. With a fast-growing legislative team, Texas Right to Life has already been instrumental in passing the Parental Notification Act, the Woman’s Right to Know Act, the Prenatal Protection Act, a Rider to defund the abortion industry, and other laws protecting patients from involuntary euthanasia.
During this new legislative session, Texas Right to Life will focus on the Child Predator Prevention Act, the Woman’s Health Protection Act, a Conscience Clause, and the Human Cloning Prohibition Act. The Child Predator Prevention Act will ensure that the adult accompanying a girl to have an abortion is actually her parent or legal guardian (rather than a molester or sexual predator). The Woman’s Health Protection Act will require that all abortion statistics are accurately reported to the Department of Health and ensure that abortion-related complications are not reported as pregnancy-related complications. The Conscience Clause will protect all health care workers, health care facilities, and health insurers who conscientiously object to the provision of or participation in health care services contrary to their creed. Finally, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act will prohibit the creation of cloned humans in Texas, whether the cloned humans are intended for research or for reproductive purposes.
Laci Peterson’s Mother Speaks out after Scott’s Sentence
Scott Peterson was found guilty of murdering his wife Laci and their unborn child Conner. The jury then gave him a sentence of death penalty. Laci’s mother, Sharon Rocha, stated, “There are no winners in a case like this. We are families who are suffering horrendous losses.”
Sharon Rocha has since become an outspoken advocate for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, both for individual states and for the nation. Unborn Victims of Violence legislation adds another criminal offense if an unborn child is killed or injured during the commission of a violent crime. Two victims are recognized: the mother and her child. President Bush signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act in March 2003. Currently, 30 states have unborn victims laws, including Texas’ Prenatal Protection Act that was passed during the 78th Legislative Session.
Woman Accused of Killing Pregnant Woman and Stealing her Unborn Baby
Soon after Scott Peterson’s conviction, the country was shocked to hear about another grave injustice towards a pregnant woman. Lisa Montgomery, 36, was accused of killing a pregnant woman, Bobbie Jo Stinnett, and then stealing her baby. Authorities found Stinnett at her Missouri home: she had been cut open, and her unborn child was missing.
Mrs. Stinnett had corresponded with Lisa Montgomery through email because she thought that Montgomery was interested in the dogs she was selling. Montgomery had seen a picture of Mrs. Stinnett on a website showing she was pregnant. It is believed that Montgomery set up an appointment to meet with Stinnett not to see her dogs, but to take her baby. Montgomery later called her husband and children to tell them she had given birth.
Lisa Montgomery admitted to the police that she had strangled Stinnett and taken her baby. Stinnett was eight months pregnant at the time. Thankfully, the baby survived the attack and, after a brief hospital stay for evaluation, is now safe with her father. Lisa Montgomery will now face charges against Stinnett and, if convicted, will at least end up in jail for life.
