Kermit Gosnell Guilty: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Kermit Gosnell, a 72-year-old doctor, has been found guilty of performing illegal late-term abortions in a filthy, out-of-date clinic he ran in West Philadelphia. The trial has gained national attention and has raised questions on abortion ethics. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Kermit Gosnell Was Convicted of First-Degree Murder of Three Infants

After a two-month trial, a jury on Monday found Gosnell guilty of murdering three babies outside their mother’s womb before severing their spinal cords at his West Philadelphia abortion clinic, reports The Washington Post. Prosecutors said the doctor delivered babies alive and killed them, or had untrained staff kill them, by cutting their spines at the clinic that was called a “house of horrors.” One ex-employee for Gosnell testified that she saw fetuses moving, breathing and “screeching” before it was killed while another said she was left disturbed after she was ordered to snip the spine of an aborted baby she found in a toilet.

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2. He Was Acquitted of Murder in the Death of a Fourth Infant

Gosnell was acquitted of murder of a fourth baby after prosecutors struggled to prove was alive after delivery.

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3. He Was Also Found Guilty of Third-Degree Murder of Karnamaya Mongar

The doctor was also convicted of third-degree murder of 41-year-old Karnamaya Mongar, who died of an overdose of sedatives while undergoing an abortion at Gosnell’s clinic.

4. Gosnell Was Convicted of Over 200 Counts of Violating Pennsylvania’s Abortion Laws

Among lesser charges, Gosnell was charged with 211 counts of not waiting 24 hours after consulting with a patient before performing an abortion.

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5. The Trial Will Move to the Sentencing Phase

Now that Gosnell has been convicted, the next stage of the trial will continue next week into a sentencing phase. The jurors will be called back to decide whether or not should receive the death penalty or life in prison. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.