23 Felonies filed against a planned parenthood clinic in Kansas...

[cynatnite]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline fired another volley in his battle against abortion providers by filing more than 100 criminal charges Wednesday against a Planned Parenthood clinic in Overland Park, Kan.

It's a high-profile clash that dates back to Kline's days as Kansas attorney general, when the conservative Republican fought to obtain abortion records from the clinic.

In all, 107 counts -- 23 felonies and 84 misdemeanors -- were filed Wednesday. The charges include 29 misdemeanor counts of providing unlawful late-term abortions.

The charges have activists on both sides of the issue contemplating Kline's motives and the potential impact of the case on the abortion debate, particularly in Kansas.

Kline isn't talking for now. He declined comment Wednesday through his spokesman, Brian Burgess.

But anti-abortion activists and abortion rights supporters had plenty to say about the charges, filed in Johnson County District Court in Olathe, Kan.

"The real story here doesn't have anything to do with how Planned Parenthood conducts its business," said Pamela Sumners, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri in St. Louis. "Everybody knows Planned Parenthood scrupulously adheres to the law. This is obviously just a case of Phill Kline, who was voted out as attorney general, trying to misuse his local prosecutorial discretion to keep grinding this ax that the voters have said they don't want to hear about anymore.

http://www.hdnews.net/Story/k1000_BC_KS_AbortionCharges_5thLd_Writethru_10_18_1024

:grr: Kline...what a real POS.

[datasuspect]

1. sounds like he is provoking an eventual constitutional challenge

this is something to keep tabs on.

[hobbit709]

2. He's a prime example of why they should allow retroactive abortion.

Wonder if he could be nailed for malicious prosecution?

[DU9598]

3. Michael Nifong him

This guy needs to be taken down for his prosecutorial over-zealousness.

[marmar]

4. This Kline is a real idealogue and an asshole.....ala that freak 10 Commandments judge in Alabama...

I can't wait to see him lose in court, and then have Planned Parenthood go back after his ass with their own lawsuits.

[mainegreen]

5. He's a rare example of why sometimes 188th trimester abortions should be allowed.