Testimony from National Abortion Federation, et. al. v. Ashcroft on Thursday, April 8, 2004.
Excerpts from direct examination of Abortionist Dr. Stephen T. Chasen:
COURT QUESTION: Dr. Chasen, in your experience, how is the fetal head extracted in a dismemberment D&E?
ABORTIONIST DR. CHASEN: The fetal head is extracted by placing the forceps around it and crushing it.
COURT QUESTION: How readily is that — how easy is that to accomplish?
ABORTIONIST DR. CHASEN: In some cases it is relatively easily accomplished and in other cases it is very difficult.
COURT QUESTION: Does it hurt the baby?
ABORTIONIST DR. CHASEN:I don’t know.
COURT QUESTION: But you go ahead and do it anyway, is that right?
ABORTIONIST DR. CHASEN: I am taking care of my patients, and in that process, yes, I go ahead and do it.
COURT QUESTION: Does that mean you take care of your patient and the baby be damned, is that the approach you have?
ABORTIONIST DR. CHASEN: These women who are having [abortions] at gestational ages they are legally entitled to it
COURT QUESTION: I didn’t ask you that, Doctor. I asked you if you had any caring or concern for the fetus whose head you were crushing.
ABORTIONIST DR. CHASEN: No.
SOURCE: National Abortion Federation, et. al. v. Ashcroft
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
The Honorable Richard Conway Casey, Judge
Friday, April 2, 2004
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