Lawmaker hopes to make killing unborn child a crime

The murder of a pregnant teenager in Santa Fe this spring has some state lawmakers asking why our state laws against murder don't include unborn babies.

[Sunny Delight]

I hope this is made into a law. The idea that an unborn baby is not a human being is ridiculous. Whatever happens to the mother, happens to the unborn child and if left to be carried to term, certainly is born a human.

[chav223]

There are no laws to protect the unborn because the democrats have a love affair with abortion. It looks like this creep is a perfect fit for a Czar position in the Obama administration.

[peace-1]

it is too bad newmexico doesn't have the death penalty...this jerk needs to be put down. that baby "was" alive and "was" a human, he should be held responsible for that action as well as murdering the mother and grandfather, and as far as "insane"...well, all murderers are insane and they were all "good" people! yeah right...I say send him down the river and let him die.

[Jighead]

Abortion will trump the rights of the unborn child. It's one of the rungs of the progressive left philosophy.

For those that believe that man (or women) control their destiny in this world, they will probably argue that point when judged by their creator. Oh i forgot they don't believe in God! My bad.

So what are these politicos doing in church on Sunday? Probably going thru the motions in order to give the appearance of faith. These fake are wasting their time. Their support for the murder of the unborn child will be accounted for at the time of their judgement. Their willingness to support abortion thru legislation does not absolve them of their responsibilities to follow the commandments of God. Although given that many politicians have legal backgrounds they will argue the point.

[KLL]

Let's see.....abortion is wrong because it kills and is against God's commandments.....so that means war is wrong, too.....oh, and so is the death penalty.....faulty logic people.

I wish the people who are so against abortion were a little more interested in helping the children that are born that no one wants to care for. Are you all willing to raise and care for these kids? If not, then shut your pie hole.....

[RDRM]

It's always confused me, how a woman can choose to keep or kill the child, and it's not murder. BUT in some states, if somebody else kills the mother, and the child dies too, it's double murder (Scott Peterson). Basically we and/or our leaders need to come up with a definition of 'life' as we are supposed to be protecting 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' In regards to abortion this country avoids this question. I would think that some would oppose making killing a fetus a crime because then we'd be able to charge mothers when they abort, and since women have the right to an abortion....well.... This man definitely should be charged with double murder; anyone who argues that a women in her 3rd trimester isn't carrying another life is plain ignorant. To the best of my knowledge, science/the medical community defines life based on brain activity. If there is brain activity, there is life and a chance of saving that life with medicine. Once a person is brain-dead, there is nothing doctors can do for that person. So, since our politicians don't have a definition, we'll use the medical definition....which makes this a double homicide.

[skinwalker]

Medical Associations generally consider a fetus viable after six months or about six weeks. However, some States interpret homicide as "the killing with malice and premeditation of a human being or fetus. In order for a fetus to be the subject of the murder statute, it need only be shown that it had progressed beyond the embryo stage of seven to eight weeks gestation...

[Jighead]

KLL wrote:

Let's see.....abortion is wrong because it kills and is against God's commandments.....so that means war is wrong, too.....oh, and so is the death penalty.....faulty logic people.
I wish the people who are so against abortion were a little more interested in helping the children that are born that no one wants to care for. Are you all willing to raise and care for these kids? If not, then shut your pie hole.....

I am not a theologian, but Gods commandant state "thou shall not murder". Not kill but murder.
Wars and the death penalty do not breach the commandant of murder.
Wars are fought to protect the oppressed from the oppressor. Your rights according to the constitution were born from the ashes of war. Someone at some point in time shed their blood or gave their life to keep your rights free of oppression.
The death penalty is a ultimate method to punish the convicted for crimes against his fellow man. As a free society where personal responsibility is not shared by everyone, in order to protect the public a system of judgement and punishment are established. An ultimate punishment in this case the death penalty should be part of the system. If not to deter then to guarantee that the offender does not commit another crime against another. The convicted is not a helpless victim. He chose to do what he did and therefore take responsibility for the consequence.
An unborn child is defenseless total innocent of all of mans short comings.
By the way, though we may disagree on the abortion issue, I would rather have you express your opinion than to "shut your pie hole...". I value your opinion otherwise how else would I know what you think.

[Sunny Delight]

KLL wrote:

Let's see.....abortion is wrong because it kills and is against God's commandments.....so that means war is wrong, too.....oh, and so is the death penalty.....faulty logic people.
I wish the people who are so against abortion were a little more interested in helping the children that are born that no one wants to care for. Are you all willing to raise and care for these kids? If not, then shut your pie hole.....

I have already taken in and adopted two of these children and helped with raising two more that I did not adopt. How many have you adopted or helped raise?

[Juanmaria]

I agree it is time to fix this legal issue. However, for me, and many in my circle understand that Abortion is Murder. How do you seperate someone murdering a baby out of anger, and someone murdering a baby for money? Thanks for the chance to state my opinion on this life issue.

[MichaelMichael]

I most certainly favor protecting the unborn!
Never in the history of mankind have I seen such act of violence toward human life like today and especially in America! Who knows what great contribution those aborted babies could made to society today. But because of unconscionable and atrocious women, human life is cheap and worthless!
Due such an abominable act God’s wrath is upon us today! The worse part of it is most people can't see it around us!

[david]

Maybe it can be law when the state and feds allow a fetus to be a qualified tax deduction.

[dpb]

"Once a person is brain-dead, there is nothing doctors (or anyone else) can do for that person." Certainly applys to many here. Too late for any help -- vengenful and "all knowing" -- They continue to base their thinking on fairy tales and show a total lack of critical thought. Nothing new here.

[Check Yourself]

The following comes from the FIR (fiscal impact report) prepared on this bill, and IMHO, the real reasons it got postponed indefinitely in Consumer & Public Affairs Cmte in 2005.

HB 111
"...Current New Mexico state law already prohibits “Injury to a Pregnant Woman”(NMSA Section
30-3-7 1978 comp.), and “Injury to a Pregnant Woman by Vehicle” while under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or drugs.(NMSA 66-8-101.1 1978 comp.) Both crimes are third degree felonies
and prohibit and penalize acts against a pregnant woman resulting in miscarriage or stillbirth.

If this act is enacted, prosecutors will be faced with choosing the appropriate law.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
There might be increased costs to prosecute and incarcerate under this bill. However, New Mexico
law already prohibits and penalizes injury to a pregnant woman so there will not be many additional cases under HB 111.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
The District Attorneys and the AG will be required to determine if the elements of the crimes specified in the new act have been met before commencing prosecution. They will be faced with
legal challenges to the new act during prosecution. Should the act withstand judicial scrutiny, the
Corrections Department will be responsible for incarcerating those convicted."

[Hidden Agenda]

Careful here people. There's a hidden agenda involved here infringing on Roe vs Wade from the Catholic church.

[duckie]

Funny how more men seem to be opposed to abortion than women

[Aint That The Truth]

duckie wrote:

Funny how more men seem to be opposed to abortion than women

Maybe those particular men who are opposed to abortion should all have vasectomies.

Problem solved...at least at their end.

[Jighead]

duckie wrote:

Funny how more men seem to be opposed to abortion than women

Here is something that is not so funny.

There are caring, thoughtful, loving women that are willing to murder an innocent unborn child all in the name of it's my body, it's my right.

Well maybe it is your body and maybe it is your right. That is what our current laws dictate. These are man made laws that wander the judicial plain looking for the the path of least resistance. Some men (and women) believe our laws will last the test of time. They are relative to the test. But the laws of god have not changed in over 2,000 years. So once you are dead and buried every thing you have or have not done up to that point is on you. The question is what then? The mystery of death will become your new reality. If you believe in God then you will be judged, if you do not then you may or may not have anything to worry about.

[Buch of hooples]

What a bunch of hooples! These maroons can't even get a lengthy sentence to slimebags that murder eating, breathing, walking, talking people, and they want to include the unborn? I've got an idea, why don't you pass MANDATORY lengthy sentences, i.e. LIFE WITH NO PAROLE, or even bring back the death penalty for people who commit 1st degree murder, and THEN worry about including the unborn as a human being. I'm sure they are doing this as a first step, backdoor way to make abortions a crime in New Mexico.

[mel apodaca]

I want to thank Rep. Larranga for his bravery.Maybe you can open the eyes of other legislators to do the right thing. The unborn babies are counting on you. I thank God for people like you every day. Our prayers are with you!!!