Abortionist Riley Waives Hearing, Will Be Extradited to Maryland to Face Murder Charges

Abortionist Nicola Irene Riley

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 9, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Abortionist Nicola Irene Riley made a brief appearance in court this morning in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she waived an extradition hearing, clearing the way for her to be transported to Maryland to face murder charges.

 

Riley was indicted last month by a Maryland grand jury on one count of First-Degree Murder, one count of Second-Degree Murder, and one Count of Conspiracy to commit Murder for her participation in an illegal bi-state late-term abortion scheme with the notorious New Jersey abortionist Steven Chase Brigham. She continues to be held without bail.

 

Brigham was charged and has already been arraigned on five counts each of First and Second-Degree Murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder. He was released on January 6, from the Cecil County Detention Facility after posting a $500,000 bail with a combination of personal assets and the use of a bail bondsman.

 

Riley and Brigham were caught when Riley perforated the uterus and bowel of a late-term abortion patient at a secret late-term abortion mill in Elkton, Maryland. Their suspicious behavior at the hospital emergency room, where they had transported the bleeding patient in a rental car, raised red flags with ER workers who reported them to the police. Their clinic was later raided by police, who discovered the bodies of 35 aborted babies in a freezer. The babies were as old as 36 weeks gestation, according to documents seized during the raid.

 

In September, 2010, Operation Rescue filed a complaint with the State Attorney in Elkton, Maryland, asking for criminal charges against Brigham, and launched grassroots efforts to bring him to justice.

Further investigations by Operation Rescue uncovered that Riley had lied about a previous criminal conviction and prison sentence in order to gain licensure in three states. She is currently banned from doing abortions in any state.

 

Riley is expected to be transported to Maryland within the next few days where she will be arraigned.

 

Read detailed background on Riley and Brigham's murder case

 

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America. Operation Rescue is now headquartered in a former abortion clinic that it bought and closed in 2006. From there, Operation Rescue launches its innovative new strategies across the nation, exposing and closing abortion clinics through peaceful, legal means. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to stop abortion and ultimately restore legal personhood to the pre-born in obedience to biblical mandates.

 

Abortionists Brigham, Riley Charged with Murder, Jailed

Nicola Irene Riley

ELKTON, Md., Dec. 29, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Operation Rescue has learned that abortionists Steven Chase Brigham and Nicola Irene Riley have been charged with murder related to the deaths of viable babies at an illegal secret abortion clinic that the pair operated in Elkton, Maryland.

Brigham is currently in the custody at the Camden County Jail in New Jersey and Riley was arrested and is currently in the custody of the Salt Lake County Jail in Utah. Both are awaiting extradition to Maryland.

Brigham was charged with five counts of first-degree murder and five counts of second-degree murder. Riley was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. The charges are the result of a Grand Jury investigation.

While late-term abortions are not illegal in Maryland, those who kill viable babies killed in the commission of crimes can be charged with murder in that state.

Brigham operated a secret late-term abortion clinic in Elkton, Maryland, even though he had no license to practice in that state. He hired Riley to do late-term abortions there and at his abortion clinic in Baltimore. Brigham would start the late-term abortions at his office in New Jersey, then caravan the laboring women to Elkton where the abortions would be completed. The clandestine abortion scheme was discovered after a woman suffered a life-threatening botched abortion in August, 2010. When police raided the Elkton abortion clinic, they discovered the remains of 35 aborted babies, one of which was 33 weeks gestation. (Read more about this.)

Operation Rescue immediately organized grassroots efforts calling for charges against Brigham and Riley and worked behind the scenes to ensure that the case moved forward. Operation Rescue dug deeper and discovered that Riley had lied about her criminal background to gain licensure in three states. At the time of their arrests, Brigham and Riley were banned from doing abortions in any state.

"We have worked for over a year to make sure Brigham and Riley were brought to justice. We kept the story in the public eye, and followed up with police and prosecutors. This is a victory for the pro-life movement," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

Please watch for developments on this breaking news story.

About Operation Rescue® 

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America. Operation Rescue is now headquartered in a former abortion clinic that it bought and closed in 2006.  From there, Operation Rescue launches its innovative new strategies across the nation, exposing and closing abortion clinics through peaceful, legal means. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to stop abortion and ultimately restore legal personhood to the pre-born in obedience to biblical mandates. Click here to support Operation Rescue.