Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/632406
ByJuanA.Lozano TheAssociatedPress HOUSTON A grand ju- ry's decision to indict two anti-abortion activists who made undercover vid- eos about Planned Parent- hood might be less about sending someone to jail than about expressing dis- approval for how the pair conducted their investi- gation, legal experts said Tuesday. David Daleiden and San- dra Merritt are accused of using fake driver's li- censes to infiltrate the na- tion's largest abortion pro- vider in order to make vid- eos that accused Planned Parenthood of illegally selling fetal tissue to re- searchers for profit. The footage provoked outrage among Republican leaders nationwide and prompted investigations by Repub- lican-led committees in Congress and by GOP-led state governments. Both activists are charged with tampering with a governmental re- cord, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Daleiden was also indicted on a misdemeanor count related to purchasing hu- man organs. Daleiden's attorney, Murphy Klasing, said the activists, who live in Cal- ifornia, plan to come to Houston's Harris County Jail, where they will be processed and allowed to post bond. Klasing said he did not know when that will happen. Daleiden plans to plead not guilty to the charges, Klasing said. Legal experts say the two are not likely to see any prison time if con- victed. "It's really citizens scold- ing what they thought was a political investigation. Look at what they indicted them on," said Ekow N. Yankah, a law professor at Cardozo School of Law in New York. "They indicted them on a misdemeanor of falsifying a government document, for presenting the fake ID to get in for the story." "If we're being frank," he added, "that is not a grand jury that is looking to bring the hammer down because you've done some grave, grave thing." The video footage showed the two posing as representatives of a com- pany called BioMax, which purportedly procured fetal tissue for research. Planned Parenthood has said that the fake company sent an agreement offer- ing to pay the "astronom- ical amount" of $1,600 for organs from a fetus. The Houston Planned Parent- hood clinic said it never entered into the agreement and ceased contact with BioMax because it was "dis- turbed" by the overtures. The grand jury's inves- tigation was initially be- gun by the Harris County district attorney's office in Houston to look into Planned Parenthood. But the grand jury concluded the nation's largest abor- tion provider committed no wrongdoing. "We must go where the evidence leads us," said Harris County District At- torney Devon Anderson, an elected Republican. Daleiden issued a state- ment saying his group "uses the same undercover techniques" as investiga- tive journalists and fol- lows all applicable laws. Most professional news organizations discourage or explicitly forbid report- ers from posing as some- one else or otherwise mis- representing themselves. "We respect the pro- cesses of the Harris County district attorney and note that buying fetal tissue requires a seller as well," he said. The Texas video was the fifth released by the Cen- ter for Medical Progress, which Daleiden founded. Despite the center's lofty name, public filings suggest only a small num- ber of people are affiliated with the nonprofit, none of whom are scientists or physicians engaged in ad- vancing medical treat- ments. The people named as its top officers are long- time anti-abortion activ- ists with a history of gen- erating headlines. PLANNED PARENTHOOD Experts: Activists' indictment shows disapproval of videos DAVIDJ.PHILLIP—THEASSOCIATEDPRESSFILE Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson announced Monday that a grand jury has indicted two anti-abortion activists. Wednesday, January 27 9:00AM Sifting & Grad- ing of all HALTER CALV- ING EASE AND HALTER BULLS, Don Smith Pavil- ion. 12:00PM Trade Show and Art Show open. Close at 7:00PM. 1:00PM Working Stock Dogs - All dogs work OUT- SIDE. 6:00PM Buyer & Con- signor Dinner - $20/per- son. Fairgrounds Cafe- teria. Cocktails 6:00PM. Dinner at 7:00PM Youth Activity Fund Raffle: 7:30PM and Auc- tion of Red Bluff's Buckin' Best Bull Riders. Thursday, January 28 7:30AM GELDINGS - Shown at halter, in age order, youngest to oldest. Pauline Davis Pavilion. 9:00AM Trade Show and Art Show Open. Close at 7:00PM. 9:00AM Elanco Semi- nar, Don Smith Pavilion. 11:00AM WVM INTER- NET FEEDER/FEMALE SALE, presented by Animal Health International/ Elanco, Don Smith Pavil- ion. 1:00PM GELDINGS - Dry, Trail and Cattle Works, Pauline Davis Pa- vilion. 5-8:00PM Art Show Wine & Cheese Tasting, Hosted by Raley's, Gem Building. 5:45-7:00PM Clinic pre- sented by Zoetis, Legend- ary Hall of Fame Cow Horse Trainer Bobby Ingersoll, Pauline Davis Pavilion. 7:00PM GELDINGS - Conformation Horse Se- lected. Pauline Davis Pa- vilion. WORKING STOCK DOGS. Working all Stock- dogs inside, Pauline Davis Pavilion. Friday, January 29 8:00AM GELDINGS - Cutting, Snaffle Bit/ Hackamore, Stock Horse & Team Roping Contests. SELECTION OF THE CRAIG OWENS IDEAL RANCH HORSE, Pauline Davis Pavilion. 9:00AM Trade Show and Art Show Open. Art Show closes at 7:00PM, Trade Show closes at 9:00PM. 11:00AM Clinic pre- sented by Zoetis. Don Smith Pavilion. 1:00PM WORKING OF STOCK DOGS - Final Round - Work outside. 3:30PM SALE OF STOCK DOGS, Don Smith Pavilion. 3:30PM DOORS OPEN FOR GELDING SALE, Pauline Davis Pavilion. 4:00-7:30PM Ag Social Sponsored by Chico State College of Agriculture, Fairgrounds Cafeteria. Information: Sarah DeForest (530) 898-3737 / Shelley Macdonald (530)527-1941. 4:00PM Vic Woolery's Famous Tri-Tip BBQ be- fore & during the Geld- ing Sale. $10.00/person. Pauline Davis Pavilion. 5:30PM SALE OF QUARTER HORSE & PAINT GELDINGS, PRESENTED BY ROLL- ING HILLS CASINO. Pau- line Davis Pavilion. Animals sold in com- puter drawn order. 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Red Bluff, CA 530 529-0797 | NEWS | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 8 A ★