In a surprise twist to the recent Planned Parenthood controversy, pro-life activist David Daleiden has been indicted by a grand jury in Harris County, Texas, on charges related to the use of fake IDs and offers to buy fetal tissue.
Daleiden could face up to 20 years imprisonment for “tampering with a government record”, a felony. He has also been charged with the attempted purchase and sale of human organs, a misdemeanour. Sandra S. Merritt, a colleague of Daleiden at the Centre for Medical Progress, was also indicted.
In a statement on Monday the grand jury said it had cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing.
Daleiden’s lawyers have called the charges legally flawed and said they will ask the district attorney not proceed with the case. Presidential hopeful Marco Rubio labelled the case “outrageous”, while prominent Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly described it as a “political hit job”.
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