News

WASHINGTON, February 24, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for Fifth Circuit has named a three-judge panel to rule on a motion filed by Norma McCorvey to reverse Roe v. Wade. The panel consists of Judge Edith Holland Jones, Judge Edward Prado of San Antonio, and Judge Jacques L. Wiener.  The three-judge panel has announced that it does not need to hear oral argument in order to rule on McCorvey’s motion, which included over 5000 pages of evidence with affidavits from over 1000 woman who have been harmed by abortion. This decision does not indicate how the panel will rule on the appeal, and it is not a denial of the appeal.  McCorvey’s attorney, Allan Parker, stated: “We are surprised at this turn of events, but this has been, and will be, an amazing and unusual case until it reaches and is ultimately decided by the United States Supreme Court.”  The Court of Appeals, in another action, has denied a motion to file an opposing Amicus Brief filed by law professors.  The Court of Appeals could rule the federal district court’s decision by Judge Godbey clearly violated due process when he denied the motion, filed on June 17, 2003 in Dallas, after two days without hearing any evidence. The Court of Appeals could remand the case to him for a hearing. Conversely, the Court could rule that this case needs to be decided by the United States Supreme Court and therefore deny the motion and urge McCorvey to appeal to the Supreme Court. At this time all that is known is that the Fifth Circuit panel has stated that it does not need oral argument to assist it in making a decision.  Norma McCorvey and her attorneys are pleased with the selection of the panel and await the Appeals Court’s ruling.  Women who have been harmed by abortion and have provided sworn testimony for the motion will be available for interviews.