Judge Disqualifies Counsel for Defendant Doc's Wife at Bail Hearing in Abortion Clinic Murder Case
A court hearing today in a high-profile case involving murder charges against multiple workers at a Philadelphia abortion clinic was supposed to be about the amount of bail set for defendant Pearl Gosnell.
But when Common Pleas Court Judge Benjamin Lerner realized that Gosnell’s attorney Mary Maran, had also met with Gosnell’s husband and co-defendant, Dr. Kermit Gosnell, he disqualified Maran from continuing to represent her client in the case, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. Pearl Gosnell, 50, burst into tears.
Maran, who is an associate of Jack McMahon, the attorney representing Kermit Gosnell, says she believes there is no conflict of interest and indicates she may appeal. Prosecutors have said they are considering seeking the death penalty against Kermit Gosnell.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Abortion Doc Charged with 8 Murders; 9 Clinic Workers in Custody, 4 Also Face Murder Charges”
ABAJournal.com: “Prosecution to Seek Death Penalty for Abortion Doc Accused of Murdering Woman and 7 Viable Babies”
