Philly's Baby Butcher

Philadelphia's premier late-term abortionist has been put out of business.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, faces eight counts of murder in the deaths of a woman following a botched abortion at his office, along with the deaths of seven other babies who, prosecutors allege, were born alive following illegal late-term abortions and then were killed by severing their spinal cords with a pair of scissors.

“I am aware that abortion is a hot-button topic,” said District Attorney Seth Williams. “But as district attorney, my job is to carry out the law. A doctor who knowingly and systematically mistreats female patients, to the point that one of them dies in his so-called care, commits murder under the law. A doctor who cuts into the necks severing the spinal cords of living, breathing babies, who would survive with proper medical attention, is committing murder under the law.”

If it had been up to some people, it wouldn't be murder under the law to kill babies in such a fashion. As long as the "doctor" didn't allow the victim's head to slip out of the birth canal, attacking it with a pair of scissors was perfectly legal up until a few years ago. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum led the fight to outlaw these partial-birth abortions. He was well hated for it by feminists and pro-choice groups. No good deed goes unpunished.

In one year, Gosnell made $1.8 million plying his trade. Some bad deeds go unpunished too. Maybe not Dr. Gosnell's.