Cook County State's Attorney Dismisses Battery Charges Sought by Abortion Clinic Against Pro-Life Counselor
Abortion Clinic Staffer Fails to Appear in Court to Defend Her Complaint
Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net
CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- This week, prosecutors with the Cook County State's Attorney dropped criminal battery charges against Anna Marie Mesia, a 62-year-old pro-life sidewalk counselor, related to claims by an abortion clinic manager and a patron that Ms. Mesia had touched the patron. The pair claimed that, on July 25, 2012, Mesia touched the patron on the arm outside the 5086 N. Elston Avenue late-term abortion clinic.
"Recently, numerous pro-life advocates have been subjected to arrest on false and baseless charges by abortion clinics and their employees," said Peter Breen of the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, which represented Ms. Mesia. "We will use every legal tool at our disposal to stop this harassment."
Prior to the prosecutors' dismissal, Breen was prepared to offer numerous witnesses to state that Ms. Mesia was not at the abortion facility on the day of the alleged assault. Neither the abortion clinic manager nor the patron appeared in court to defend their claims. Attorneys for Ms. Mesia intend to pursue civil damages against the abortion clinic manager and the patron for malicious prosecution.
About the Thomas More Society
Founded in 1997, the Chicago-based Thomas More Society is a national public interest law firm that seeks to restore respect in law for life, marriage, and religious liberty. The Society is a nonprofit organization wholly supported by private donations. For more information or to support the work of Thomas More Society, please visit www.thomasmoresociety.org.
