Gosnell murder trial goes to jury

    A jury has begun deliberating in the capital murder trial of a Philadelphia abortion doctor charged with killing a patient and four babies.

    Prosecutors say 72-year-old Kermit Gosnell routinely performed abortions past the state’s 24-week limit and killed babies born alive because he did not know how to do a proper abortion.

    He is also charged in the 2009 overdose death of a patient.

    The defense argues that Gosnell helped poor, desperate women and teens who had no other access to care.

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    Gosnell faces 258 counts in all, including the five murder counts. Other charges against him include one count each of infanticide and racketeering, 24 counts of performing third-trimester abortions and 227 counts of failing to counsel patients a day in advance.

    Jurors were given the case Tuesday.

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