Six individuals who advocate for the pro-life movement have been convicted for their involvement in a peaceful demonstration at an abortion facility in Tennessee in 2021. Among them is a devoted Christian father of 11 children who now faces potential imprisonment, along with five other activists. The charges were brought forth by the administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, who accused them of obstructing access to abortion clinics.
If sentenced, they could potentially serve up to 11 years in prison. A federal jury found Paul Vaughn, one of the defendants, guilty of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. This violation occurred when he and the other five individuals blocked access to an abortion facility in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, in March 2021.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) accused the pro-life activists of violating the FACE Act and engaging in a civil rights conspiracy. The charges stem from a protest that took place outside a Mount Juliet abortion provider on March 5, 2021. During the demonstration, the group gathered in the hallway of an office building on the second floor, where they prayed, sang hymns, and encouraged women entering the clinic to reconsider their decision to have an abortion.
The defendants on trial included Chet Gallagher of Tennessee, Coleman Boyd of Mississippi, Heather Idoni of Michigan, Cal Zastrow of Michigan, Paul Vaughn of Tennessee, and Dennis Green of Virginia. All six individuals were found guilty on both counts. Sentencing is expected to take place in July.
The conspiracy charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10.5 years in prison, along with three years of supervised release and fines reaching up to $260,000.
Additionally, if convicted of the FACE Act charge, the defendant could face an extra year in prison and a fine of $10,000. The verdict was announced on the trial’s fifth day, which was held at the Fred D. Thompson courthouse in Nashville.
Presiding over the case was Judge Aleta Trauger, who was appointed to the court in 1998 by former President Bill Clinton. Caroline Davis, one of the crucial witnesses for the prosecution, was among those arrested alongside the group at Carafem.
During her testimony, Davis revealed that she had a change of heart regarding her participation in the protest, describing her “rational side” as being “in the toilet” at the time. She further explained that her change of perspective occurred gradually and that being indicted by the federal government left her feeling terrified.
During the demonstration, the protesters could be seen singing songs like “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and “Onward Christian Soldiers,” while others were actively talking to the police officers present.
