Atlantic City
First-Degree Murder
Casino security guard Cordell Harper told his on-again off-again 16-year-old girlfriend of six months, Helen Croudy, who was a high school junior, to take a pregnancy test.
He planned to murder her if she was pregnant. He had wanted her to have an abortion if she was pregnant, but she had replied that she could never do such a thing.
Harper boasted to a co-worker about how he murdered Helen: "I choked her. It didn't work. I beat her with a hammer but it broke. So I beat her with rocks and dragged her body to the end of a jetty and I'm going to get away with it."
An autopsy found that Helen's skull had been crushed by a ball-peen hammer, and that many of her teeth had been broken out.
Helen was still alive when Harper left her to die in a crevice on an icy cold Atlantic City jetty New Year's Day, 2002. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder and, on May 27, 2003, Harper pled guilty to the murder and weapons charges.
References: Associated Press. "Casino Security Guard Pleads Guilty to Murder in Teen's Beating Death." PhillyBurbs.com, May 28, 2003; Americans United for Life. 2004 State Report Cards, page 61.
Bloomingdale
Vandalism (2 incidents)
Bloomingdale Baptist Church has a large sign on its front lawn which spells out a Bible verse or a thought-provoking phrase relevant to an upcoming sermon. In recognition of the 28th anniversary the January 22 Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States, the church put up a sign asking: "What's the price of being pro-choice?" On the back, the sign read: "Only 41,000,000 unborn babies."
Pro-abortionists destroyed the sign just hours after it was posted on January 20, 2001. The next day, church officials put up a sign with a different pro-life message, and nothing happened.
But when the church put the original message back last weekend, there was another attack. Rev. Mike Walker noticed that someone had spray-painted a black question mark and an "X" on the sign, and he reported it to the police.
The pastor said the attempt to quiet the church's voice is a concern. "This wasn't just pranksterism. This was a deliberate attempt to silence a message," said Walker, who lives next door with his wife and four children.
Finally, the pastor put an entirely new question up on his sign: "If you find our signs offensive, what is so offensive about protecting the innocent?"
References: "Vandals Hit New Jersey Church's Pro-Life Sign." Bergen Record, February 3, 2001; News Notes. "Call the Hate Crime Squads Again." The Wanderer, February 15, 2001, page 3.
Eatontown
Assault and Destruction of Property
During January of 2003, local pro-lifers from Eatontown, New Jersey set up displays designed by the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR), consisting of very large 13 by 6 foot Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) signs, at the intersection of Routes 35 and 36.
In one case, a woman charged the sign with a kitchen broom and repeatedly struck the signs until it finally dawned on her that the signs were paper and wouldn't tear.
It was not reported whether or not the broom was her primary mode of transportation.
Then a man on foot wrenched two of the 13 foot signs out of their holders and threw them on the ground, then did a little dance on them while screaming his head off. After entertaining the pro-lifers and passersby, he continued to walk to a nearby mall.
Reference: January 20, 2003 e-mail message to Human Life International from Mike Pizaro.
Englewood
Manslaughter (7 counts) and Arson
20-year-old Walter Lee Craig was upset that his young girlfriend, Linda Hyman, was pregnant with his child, so he decided to eliminate her, her family, and all evidence of her pregnancy.
In the early morning one day in May 1985, he set fire to the crowded boarding house where Linda and her family lived. The fire killed Linda, her sister, and four other tenants.
In January 1987, a New Jersey Superior Court jury found Craig guilty of seven counts of manslaughter and one count of arson.
Reference: "Jersey Man Guilty In 7 Fire Deaths." New York Times, January 30, 1987.
Lakewood
Forgery, Theft, Theft by Deception (3 counts), Practicing Medicine Without a License (3 counts), Illegal Storage of Medical Waste, Illegal Disposal of Medical Waste, and Violation of the Clean Waters Act
This compendium of pro-abortion violence and lawbreaking has many stories on sloppily-run abortion mills that pose a constant danger to the health of women, and seem to be more like the "back alley butcher shops" of legend than actual medical clinics.
One of these abortion mills in the Pleasant Women's Pavilion, operated by abortionist Flavius Moses Thompson on East County Line Road in Lakewood, New Jersey.
On January 15, 2005, Thompson was charged with flushing medical waste, including the preborn babies he had aborted, down the toilet of his abortuary and into the Metedeconk River. He was charged with illegal storage of Class 4 medical waste (syringes and needles) since his license to generate medical waste had expired, causing the disposal of medical waste that included blood products, and violation of the Clean Waters Act for disposing of aborted preborn babies into the sanitary sewer system.
This incident occurred shortly after his receptionist Lize Berdiel was arrested on January 13 and charged with performing abortions without a medical license. Berdiel, who is a phlebotomist, apparently thought that this was enough medical training to start doing abortions. She aborted at least three women and pocketed the cash profits without telling her boss, abortionist Thompson. She was charged with three counts of practicing medicine without a license, three counts of theft by deception for accepting $380 for each of the abortions, and theft and forgery for using a stolen prescription pad to write a prescription for one of the patients.
Shortly after these incidents, the 60-year-old abortionist voluntarily agreed to stop practicing medicine.
An inspection by the New Jersey State Medical Board found many health and safety violations in Thompson's abortion mill;
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- failure to have required medical equipment on hand;
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- improper disposal of regulated medical wastes down the toilet;
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- expired medications kept in an emergency medical kit; and
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- violations related to the administration of conscious sedation.
Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said that "Our primary concern is the safety of patients. Given the serious allegations against Dr. Thompson, we demanded that he immediately stop practicing medicine pending further action of the Board of Medical Examiners." Acting Consumer Affairs Director Jeffrey Burstein also said that "If proper procedures are not followed, patients are potentially put in danger. That is wholly unacceptable. The Board of Medical Examiners expects its licensees to adhere to legal and professional standards of conduct, as does the public."
References: Steven Ertelt. "New Jersey Abortionist Flushed Babies from Abortions Down Toilet." LifeNews.com, January 20, 2005; Joyce Blay. "Lakewood Doctor Charged with Violations at Clinic: Physician's Arrest Follows Charges Made Against Receptionist." TriTown News [Howell, New Jersey], January 26, 2005; Joyce Blay. "Doctor Awaits Hearing on Future of License." TriTown News [Howell, New Jersey], February 2, 2005.
Millville
Making Terroristic Threats, Possession of Illegal Weapons (2 counts), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Harassment, Disorderly Conduct and Simple Assault
On February 1, 2004, Samuel File was arrested for threatening to cut the preborn child from his pregnant girlfriend's abdomen. He was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats, possession of illegal weapons and a controlled dangerous substance, harassment, disorderly conduct and simple assault for his attack on Misty Heugal.
File was placed in the Cumberland County Jail, and his bail was set at $5,000.
Reference: "Cedarville Man Charged with Making Terroristic Threats." The Press of Atlantic City, February 3, 2004.
Newark
Fraud (5 counts) [Woodbridge]
Miami businessman Alan I. Weisenberg owned an abortion mill in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Before dawn on April 22, 1991, his abortion mill was torched by an unknown arsonist, and sustained half a million dollars in damages.
Without a shred of evidence, pro-abortionists immediately blamed pro-lifers for the blaze.
The head of New Jersey Right to Choose sniveled that the blaze was the work of "religious zealots." A clinic employee spluttered "This is like Hitler." New Jersey's then-Gov. Jim Florio announced "None of us can be silent in the face of such purposeful violence."
The University of Illinois put together a map of "anti-choice violence," and the Associated Press widely circulated it in the aftermath of the slaying of Buffalo abortionist Barnett Slepian. The burned Woodbridge clinic was featured on this map, which was obediently printed in most mass-circulation magazines and newspapers.
Local writer Rick Malwitz observed in a November 8, 1998 newspaper column, "There was never any evidence that linked the fire to anyone in the pro-life movement, according to persons involved in the investigation. However, when investigators looked at the operation of the clinic, they found violations potentially more serious than an arson with no injuries." Agents from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, continued Malwitz, "discovered illegal medical procedures, including the reuse of instruments that were intended to be discarded after each abortion procedure."
Naturally, the pro-abortionists did not mention these violations in their propaganda. And Florio, of course, did not apologize for his false accusation.
Weisenberg remains the prime suspect in the arson, but was not charged because the statute of limitations on the blaze had expired.
On October 28, 1998, Weisenberg pleaded guilty in a Trenton, New Jersey Federal Court to committing insurance fraud and authorizing unsafe medical practices at his abortion mill. He had cheated five insurance companies and health maintenance organizations.
Reference: Paul Likoudis. "Abortion Clinic Owner, Suspected Arsonist, Admits Fraud." The Wanderer, December 3, 1998.
Corruption
Paul Byrne is a longtime Hudson County political operative who also formed the pro-cloning front group called "Right to Hope" in order to promote passage of New Jersey's "clone and kill" bill. Byrne was an aide to Hudson County Executive and Democratic bigshot Robert Janiszewski.
According to the Star Ledger, wiretaps on Byrne's phone yielded incriminating phone conversations between him and more than a dozen past and present officeholders and vendors who held millions of dollars worth of county contracts, and these conversations helped federal investigators build one of the state's largest corruption cases.
Marie Tasy of New Jersey Right to Life noted that "Governor James McGreevey, Assemblyman Neil Cohen, Senate President Richard Codey and U.S. Senator Jon Corzine have all supported and backed the efforts of Paul Byrne to become the leading advocate and spokesperson in New Jersey to legalize deadly scientific experimentation on human embryos and the artificial creation of human beings for the sole purpose of destructive experimentation and research. In fact, Senator Corzine donated $10,000 to help form Byrne's front group, Right to Hope, in March of this year."
An attorney representing Freeholder Nidia Davila-Colon said federal prosecutors have given him a 4-inch thick binder of transcripts of incriminating conversations between Byrne and more than a dozen officeholders. Byrne's potential role in the case was disclosed by Colon's attorney Peter Willis, who described Byrne as "a conduit for money to Bobby J." Willis also said the contractors on the tapes include nursing home operators, road and bridge repair firms, no-bid professional services providers, and others who won "multi-multi-multi-multimillion-dollar contracts."
A four-term executive and Democratic kingmaker, Janiszewski was caught taking a cash payoff at an Atlantic City conference in late 2000. He subsequently became a cooperating government witness and secretly recorded conversations with vendors and politicians until abruptly resigning his post about 10 months later.
He pleaded guilty to extortion and tax evasion as part of a deal with the office of U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie. Davila-Colon and another freeholder, William Braker, were indicted weeks later, and prosecutors have promised more indictments are looming.
The transcripts are likely to reveal conversations between Byrne and Oscar Sandoval, a psychiatrist who won more than $2 million in county contracts. Sandoval, who is also cooperating with the government, allegedly used Colon, with whom he was having an affair, to ferry $10,000 in payoffs to Janiszewski.
Colon, a six-term freeholder, faces charges of mail fraud and aiding extortion when her trial begins before U.S. District Judge William Bassler. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks and could force Janiszewski and Sandoval to publicly testify for the first time.
References: John P. Martin. "Wiretaps Shaped a Graft Case: Talks Said to Incriminate Over a Dozen Hudson Officials and Vendors." Star-Ledger, May 17, 2003; May 17, 2003 press release of New Jersey Right to Life entitled "Political Operative for Pro-Cloning "Right to Hope" Front Group Implicated in One of NJ's Biggest Corruption Cases" [Marie Tasy, Public & Legislative Affairs Director, telephone: (732) 846-2000].
Phillipsburg
Disorderly Conduct
Pro-abortion activist Thomas "Reggie" Regrut was led away in handcuffs after he disrupted a Warren County freeholders meeting. He had demanded that the freeholders approve a referendum on county funding for Planned Parenthood. He held a large black-and-white sign that read "Let the People Decide" — the slogan of pro-life New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Bret Schundler. Regrut said "I think we need to start with the most important issue — the fundamental right of a woman to control her own body."
The freeholders stopped funding the Phillipsburg branch of Planned Parenthood in 2001 when they cut its $18,152 allocation from the county budget.
Regrut, who last year failed in his bid to win a freeholders seat with the pro-abortion Green Party, took over the meeting moments after the flag salute. He didn't relent until two state police troopers asked him to leave the meeting room.
Regrut asked why citizens couldn't vote on the Planned Parenthood funding, since the freeholders are considering other ballot questions. He said Monday's disturbance was part of his plan to defeat pro-life politicians such as Schundler and Freeholders Michael Doherty and John DiMaio. He and about a dozen others formed a committee to campaign against them. Regrut and other pro-aborts seemed oblivious to the fact that they campaigned hard against any state referendum which would give the people the right to decide whether or not they wanted to fund abortions for poor women.
"I respect the rule of law," said Regrut, who was charged with disorderly conduct. Two troopers led him out of the meeting room. According to a state police news release, Regrut disrupted the meeting by "holding a very large sign, becoming vocal and refusing to comply with established protocol pertaining to public meetings." County Administrator Steve Marvin signed the complaint.
References: New Jersey Express Times, August 28, 2001; "New Jersey Pro-Abort Arrested at Local Meeting on Abortion Funding." Steven Ertelt's Pro-Life Infonet at http://www.prolifeinfo.org/infonet.html, August 29, 2001.
Trenton
Murder
On January 15, 1993, Terrance O'Brien and his pregnant sister Noreen O'Brien were at the West End Post Office on Brighton Avenue in Trenton, New Jersey. Noreen was about three months pregnant. Terrance went to a pharmacy across the street, bought two serrated steak knives, and then, using both knives, stabbed his pregnant sister 33 times in front of horrified witnesses at the post office. He was intent on ending his sister's relationship with an illegal immigrant from Mexico. She lingered for a short time, and then died. When police later informed O'Brien that his sister had died, he said "I'm happy. I'm in a good mood because that's what I wanted. I wanted to kill her."
In 1996, O'Brien was convicted of murder, but the conviction was overturned by a state appeals court. In February 2000, O'Brien was convicted a second time of murder, and in May, received a life sentence in prison.
In July 2004, a New Jersey state appellate court threw out O'Brien's murder conviction and ordered a new trial, but, on May 24, 2005, the Supreme Court of New Jersey, by a 5 to 2 vote, reinstated O'Brien's murder conviction and life sentence in prison.
References: The Associated Press. "Murder Verdict Reversed for Man Who Stabbed Pregnant Sister." February 19, 1999; Karen Sudol. "N.J. High Court Reinstates Murder Conviction." Asbury Park Press, May 27, 2005.
Assault (2 incidents)
Abortionist Elrick Murray assaulted pro-life picketers Edie Tucker and Michael A. Lawson in front of his home in May 1991. Murray was convicted of assault in Westfield municipal court, and later lost a $15,000 lawsuit to the pro-lifers.
Reference: John Hassell. "Arguments Heard in 3 Abortion Protestor Cases." Asbury Park Press [New Jersey], October 26, 1993, page A3.
Bribery, Insurance Fraud and Medicaid Fraud
Abortionist Benjamin P. Thamrong's extramarital lover and former receptionist successfully filed suit against him, alleging his abuse during 2 years of treatment prompted her to throw their 2-year-old son to his death from the top of an apartment building and leap from the building herself in 1979. This lover allegedly met him when he performed an abortion on her in 1977. He provided her with an apartment in the building from which she later jumped.
An administrative complaint filed in New Jersey alleged that Thamrong issued 19 prescriptions each for 30-day supplies of Seconol and 40 Percodan for patient "R.L.," for whom he maintained no records, during 1986. He also prescribed at least 14 prescriptions each for 30 Seconol and 40 Percodan for "R.L." for 1987, and over a 32-day period in 1988 gave "R.L." prescriptions for 120 doses of Seconal and 160 of Percodan. The complaint stated that "The dispensing of Seconal and Percodan to R.L. was done without medical justification with an apparent lack of regard for the significant abuse potential of this drug and with gross disregard for the life, health, safety and welfare of said person." He was also charged with prescribing similarly excessive amounts of controlled substances to at least six other patients, usually without recorded office visits.
Another administrative complaint stated that a 1988 inspection found that the cover of examination tables were dirty and torn, suction machine containers and tubing were dirty and stained, and that unsterile instruments, expired supplies, and soiled gauze, speculum, and suction tubing were found in the abortion procedure room. The inspection also noted outdated and/or improperly labeled medications, no emergency equipment, a refrigerator contained expired medications, 3 syringes, a bottle of Yoo Hoo, a half-full bottle of Riuniti peach wine, a quarter-full bottle of Asti Spumanti with a paper towel stuffed in the top, a dirty carving knife, a specimen envelope containing a tube of blood collected 22 days earlier, one mostly-eaten salad, and one partially-empty bottle each of Coca-Cola and Sunkist soda. His medicine cabinet contained out-of-date supplies. "Respondent is engaging in the practice of medicine without adhering to appropriate sanitary practices and poses a danger to the public health."
Thamrong also falsified insurance forms. He was sentenced to 4 years probation for billing Medicaid for abortions the patients had paid for, and was fined $10,000, and had to pay $12,088 restitution.
The abortionist surrendered his medical license in December 1990 after allegedly trying to bribe health department investigators, giving one $1000 and $500 in gift-wrapped boxes.
References: Marianne Goldstein. "Cops: Doc Tried to Bribe Investigator." New York Post, January 31, 1992, page 8; North Jersey Herald & News, December 22, 1989; New York Daily News, July 13, 1992; The Chronicle, October 20, 1982, February 9, 1983, March 16 and 23, 1983, and March 2, 1984; New Jersey Administrative Complaint filed October 3, 1989.
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