Abortion grand jury put on hold

BY: Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, Editor

A ruling saying petitioners could seat a grand jury to investigate Planned Parenthood did not quiet anti-abortion and abortion rights activists Tuesday.

Johnson County Judge Kevin Moriarty's ruling responded to Planned Parenthood's petition challenge. Petitioners want a further investigation of the clinic, 4401 W. 109th St., Overland Park. Planned Parenthood already faces felony charges brought by anti-abortion District Attorney Phill Kline.

"We believe that the grand jury process is being abused for political purposes and to harass Planned Parenthood. We have been thoroughly investigated on all the charges in the petition and there's no merit to them," Planned Parenthood President Peter Brownlie said Wednesday.

Kline defended the grand jury petitions.

"Planned Parenthood is asking this court to invalidate a lawful petition on the basis that it doesn't like the political positions of those who may have signed the petition," Kline told the court Tuesday.

Moriarty postponed seating the grand jury by a week to let Planned Parenthood lawyers – characterized by Kline's office as "attorneys for the abortion industry" – to file a motion with the Kansas Supreme Court.

Christian Newswire quotes Operation Rescue President Troy Newman as accusing Moriarty of siding with Planned Parenthood to allow the delay. Newman based the claim on Moriarty being appointed by abortion rights advocate Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

"Moriarty knew he could not directly violate the law that mandates convening of this grand jury so he chose to circumvent it by giving Planned Parenthood time to file with the Kansas Supreme Court where further delays can be expected. It has been said that justice delayed is justice denied. We just saw an example of that today," Newman said.

The Supreme Court has a similar case under review in Wichita. Brownlie said Planned Parenthood wants the grand jury issue here placed on hold until the high court decides the Wichita case.

"It's an enormous distraction from our primary priority of providing good family planning services and sex education so that we can reduce the number of abortions in Kansas," Brownlie said. "It's a real irony that those supposedly fighting against abortion in Kansas are making it difficult for us who are really doing something about it."