Indicted Anti-Abortion Activist Offered Probation in Case

[hoosierlib]

Source: ABC News

One of the two anti-abortion activists indicted last month after making undercover videos about Planned Parenthood has been offered probation to settle the charge, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

The possible resolution was made public following Sandra Merritt's initial court appearance after she turned herself in to Texas authorities and posted a $2,000 bond, which had been reduced from $10,000.

The other activist, David Daleiden, was scheduled to turn himself in Thursday. Both are charged with tampering with a governmental record, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Daleiden also was indicted on a misdemeanor count related to purchasing human organs that carries up to a year in prison. The two activists plan to plead not guilty.

Harris County prosecutor Britni Cooper said Wednesday that Merritt has been offered pretrial diversion, which is a form of probation typically offered to nonviolent first-time offenders. If Merritt maintains a clean record while on probation then the charge could be dismissed, Cooper said.


Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/anti-abortion-activist-indicted-texas-turns-36691242

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Such bull shit...if they minority and not conservative activists, they would have had the book thrown at them...

[Ellipsis]

1. Maybe someone cut a deal...

[jmowreader]

2. According to Daleiden's Wiki page, he registered his front group as a 501(c)(3)

Since he wasn't actually running a charity, there have GOT to be laws against doing this. If Merritt will roll over on Daleiden and help them build a federal case against him, I'd be happy with giving her pretrial diversion.

[csziggy]

5. Could part of a plea deal be disclosure of all donors to their fake charity?

I would very much like to know who is financing these people so they can make their lying videos to damage organizations that exist to help people.

As long as the people who make the video have to admit to their guilt (so it will be forever linked to their names) and name who helped them do it, I could live with a plea deal.

[homegirl]

7. Filing requirements

501 (c) (3) organizations are required to file with the Sec. of State of the state of formation. These filings are available from the Sec.of State upon written request from any citizen. Filings are sometimes available through the Registrar of Voters in your county. Sources of imcome are clearly shown on these filings.

[csziggy]

8. Oh - I didn't realize that. Thanks! nt

[former9thward]

9. Thee is no "federal case" here.

They both were charged with creating a fake driver's license. This is something hundreds of thousands of college students use every night to buy beer and get into bars. They don't go to jail and these people will not either.

[jmowreader]

13. I know what they were charged with...

Problem is, what he was charged with doesn't completely cover everything he did - not even close. He set up fake charities, established a fake company, made illegal videotapes and attempted to destroy Planned Parenthood. Charging him with "fake ID" is like letting a bank robber plea bargain down to illegal parking in front of the bank.

[Dawson Leery]

12. Daleiden must go to jail.

I support a plea deal if she can get him convicted.

[cynzke]

14. IRS Law Allows Groups

to file as 501(c) 3's or 4's on their own in advance of IRS approval. This is "self-declaring". Its not illegal and you may begin your activities, but if you can not meet the proper criteria, then you lose "tax-exempt" status . You have to change your "self-declared" status to a political group, list your donors and pay taxes.

[deathrind]

3. I agree with this.

I don't think either should be put in jail but I do feel there should be a very substantial fine for their actions.

[William Seger]

4. Yes, they should go to jail

The direct result of this video was the loss of millions of dollars that would be going to health care for women; it shouldn't be treated like a prank. Obviously, the prosecutors didn't consider how much real damage had been done.

[smirkymonkey]

10. +1000

[deathrind]

11. Fair enough. I see your point.

My thinking was instead of the taxpayer paying for them to have room and board they should have to pay a very substantial fine and do several thousands of hours community service...perhaps at a Planned Parenthood facility so they could see what PP actually does and realize the enormous help PP provides to both women and men.

But I see your point and it is very valid as well.

[Lazy Daisy]

6. As much as I agree

with not locking everybody up for non-violent crimes, this isn't a victim less crime. This was done with malice.
I'm having a hard time being as forgiving.