2 defendants in ‘house of horrors’ case to plead guilty
Two of the ten defendants charged in the West Philadelphia abortion clinic ‘house of horrors’ case are expected to plead guilty today, according to KYW Newsradio. Sherry West and Adrienne Moton are both accused of third degree murder, among other charges, stemming from Dr. Kermit Gosnell’s clinic.
Update, 1:30 p.m. Sherry West has pleaded guilty to five charges: the four Moton also pleaded to, plus one count of administering a drug that resulted in someone else’s death. She may testify at the Gosnell trial.
Update, 12 p.m. The judge cleared the court briefly, Health & Science reporter Taunya English tells us, so Moton could clarify with her attorney what she is pleading to.
“You are admitting in this case that a live baby was killed by yourself,” District Attorney Joanne Pescatore told Moton, who appeared via satellite from an undisclosed location. That’s when Moton asked for a minute to speak privately with her lawyer.
She’s charged with third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, participation in a corrupt operation and conspiracy to participate in a corrupt operation. Moton pleaded to all charges and faces up to 120 years in prison and $125,000 in fines.
A gag order has been issued.
West allegedly gave a lethal dose of anaesthetics to a woman undergoing an abortion. Gosnell has pleaded not guilty. Get more on this story later from Taunya English.
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