A CALL TO ACTION
01/23/2010 | |
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MOTHER WHO MURDERED HER NEWBORN BABY NOT FACING
CRIMINAL CHARGES Repent America urges Christians to support proposed amendment to penal code
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PHILADELPHIA -- Repent America (RA) is urging Christians nationwide to make their voices heard in support of a proposed amendment before the Commonwealth of Virginia's legislature, which aims to correct a disturbing "loophole" that does not criminalize mothers who kill their newborn babies. The amendment comes in response to a recent tragedy in Campbell County, Virginia where a young mother allegedly suffocated her newborn baby after giving birth at home, but shockingly is not facing criminal charges because a woman can do whatever she wishes to her baby as long as the umbilical cord is still attached. Campbell County Prosecutor Neil Vener told RA that while he desires to bring the mother to justice, the current "laws" make it difficult to prosecute.
According to section 18.2 of the Virginia penal code regarding killing a "fetus," it is only a crime to kill "the fetus of another," thus creating "legal" allowance for a mother to murder her own child. In 2006, Virginia police officers urged state legislators to change the wording of the law after a woman murdered her unborn child on her due date by shooting herself in the stomach (and was only fined on weapons charges), but lawmakers would not listen. Sadly, they stated that did not want to get involved because they believed the situation was "too close to the abortion issue."
Virginia authorities have also felt bound to the egregious 1978 case decision of Lane v. Commonwealth of Virginia, in which the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that for a baby to be considered a person, it must have an independent existence separate from his or her mother. Therefore, if the umbilical cord is still attached and the placenta is in place, criminal charges cannot be filed for murdering an actual person should the mother harm her baby after giving birth. The court also stunningly ruled that just because a baby is breathing, it does not necessarily mean the child is a separate viable entity.
States such as Illinois and Missouri have corrected these so-called "loopholes" in their criminal codes after mothers in those states ended the life of their newborn babies. Currently, at least five other states have similar "loopholes" and will not prosecute.
Virginia Senator Stephen Newman is now presenting legislation that would amend Virginia's penal code and criminalize any mother who murders her newborn child, regardless of an umbilical cord attachment. The bill, SB602, "Human Infant: Determination of an Independent and Separate Existence From Its Mother," is scheduled to be heard this Monday, January 25th before Virginia's Senate Courts of Justice Criminal Subcommittee. Governor Bob McDonnell has stated that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
Repent America director Michael Marcavage states that the disturbing situation in Virginia further demonstrates the degradation of the value of human life in American society. "In a nation where thousands of children are murdered in the womb daily, it is grievous to see that wickedness has escalated to the point where even newborn babies are being murdered and have no rights to life or justice," Marcavage explains. "Whether inside or outside of the womb, whether connected to an umbilical cord or not, murder is still murder, and we are commanded by God to speak up for these voiceless children," Marcavage concludes.
"Open thy mouth for the [voiceless] in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction." (Proverbs 31:8)
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A CALL TO ACTION: Repent America (RA) encourages Christians nationwide to immediately contact the following members of Virginia's Senate Courts of Justice Criminal Committee, and respectfully but firmly express their outrage over the state's devaluing of human life, and ask that they support Senator Newman's amendment, SB602.
| Senator Harry Marsh
Phone: (804) 698-7516
E-mail: [email protected]
Senator Ken Cuccinelli
Phone: (804) 698-7537
E-mail: [email protected]
Senator Creigh Deeds
Phone: (804) 698-7525
E-mail: [email protected]
Senator John Edwards
Phone: (804) 698-7521
Senator Janet Howell
Phone: (804) 698-7532
Senator Robert Hurt
Phone: (804) 698-1016
Senator Louise Lucas
Phone: (804) 698-7518
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Senator Ryan McDougle
Phone: (804) 698-7504
Senator Tommy Norment
Phone: (804) 698-7503
Senator Mark Obenshain
Phone: (804) 698-7526
Senator Toddy Puller
Phone: (804) 698-7536
Senator Fred Quayle
Phone: (804) 698-7513
Senator Roscoe Reynolds
Phone: (804) 698-7520
Senator Dick Saslaw
Phone: (804) 698-7535
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About Repent America
Repent America (RA) is an evangelistic organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which zealously labors to further the Kingdom of God through Biblical evangelism. RA is a small operation with a BIG mission as it reaches out to tens of thousands of people each month with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Whether it be the public proclamation of the Gospel message (Romans 10:14-15), opening thy mouth for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8-9), preaching to the poor and comforting the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), warning the wicked of their way (Ezekiel 33:8-9), or working to preserve our liberties to do so, Repent America continues to "fight the good fight of faith." (1 Timothy 6:12) Please join in the fight with us by clicking here to make a donation to keep us on the streets, so that we can continue to impact America with the truth of God's Word! |
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