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Texas Woman Arrested on Murder Charges for Having Abortion, People React | “Handmaid’s Tale Was a Warning”
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Texas Woman Arrested on Murder Charges for Having Abortion, People React | “Handmaid’s Tale Was a Warning”

People were appalled that the state jumped to file 'murder charges' against a woman who reportedly had a stillbirth.

Image source: Starr County Sheriff's Office Twitter/@RachelBitecofer

Lizelle Herrera, a 26-year-old Texas woman, was initially charged with murder over an alleged “self-induced abortion.” She miscarried in March and was charged with 'murder' after she told a Starr County hospital staffer that she had tried to induce her own abortion. The staffer reported her to the cops. She was arrested and charged with murder. Some reports suggested she had a stillbirth and didn't get an abortion. The charges were eventually dropped but it was a chilling warning about the lengths red states were willing to go to punish those trying to get an abortion. A Texas district attorney's office dismissed the indictment against Lizelle Herrera. “In reviewing applicable Texas law, it is clear that Ms. Herrera cannot and should not be prosecuted for the allegation against her,” said District Attorney Gocha Allen Ramirez, reported HuffPost. People were shocked at the developments and called out the system and the dangerous future ahead for women.

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According to Texas law, abortion providers are banned from performing the procedure after about six weeks into pregnancy and from giving patients abortion pills after 49 days from conception. Neither was applicable to Herrera. Texas Law doesn't criminalize people who have abortions and the law also exempts them from criminal homicide charges. While Herrera's charges were dismissed, it highlighted how the state was willing to come down on those performing an abortion and it scared many people. It could also be seen that many avoid seeking medical care in Texas for the fear of getting reported. The law also encourages vigilantism as those who successfully sue people who aid an abortion can get up to $10,000 as a reward. Herrera still had to post a $500,000 bond in the Starr County Jail in Rio Grande City to be released.  

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Here are some reactions to Herrera's arrest:

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References:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/self-induced-abortion-murder-charge-officials-dropped_n_625512e5e4b0723f80106d1f


Cover image sources: Image source: Starr County Sheriff's Office | Twitter/@RachelBitecofer