A woman from Texas, who faced murder charges for self-managing an abortion and endured two nights in jail, has filed a lawsuit against the prosecutors along the U.S.-Mexico border who initiated the criminal case, which was eventually dismissed.
Lizelle Gonzalez has filed a lawsuit in federal court on Thursday, following the recent disciplinary action taken against the district attorney in rural Starr County by the State Bar of Texas. The case dates back to 2022 when Gonzalez faced charges of murder in relation to “the death of an individual by self-induced abortion.”
Women who seek abortion in Texas and other states are not subject to criminal charges due to the existing abortion restrictions.
Gonzalez is claiming that she suffered harm as a result of her arrest and the subsequent media coverage. She is seeking $1 million in damages.
In the lawsuit, it was stated that the Plaintiff’s life has been forever changed as a result of the Defendants’ illegal and unconstitutional actions.
Starr County District Attorney Gocha Ramirez stated on Friday that he has not received the lawsuit and therefore cannot provide any comments at this time. Starr County Judge Eloy Vera, the county’s highest elected official, also refrained from commenting on the matter.
Gonzalez, who was 19 weeks pregnant at the time, used misoprostol, one of the drugs commonly employed in medication abortions. It’s worth noting that misoprostol is also utilized in the treatment of stomach ulcers.
After consuming the medication, Gonzalez underwent an obstetrical evaluation at the hospital’s emergency room. She was then released with complaints of abdominal discomfort. However, she came back the following day due to bleeding. During the examination, medical professionals discovered no signs of a fetal heartbeat. Consequently, a caesarian section was conducted to deliver a stillborn baby.
The patient’s privacy rights were allegedly violated by the hospital when they reported the abortion to the district attorney’s office. Consequently, an investigation was conducted, resulting in a murder charge against Gonzalez.
According to Cecilia Garza, an attorney representing Gonzalez, the prosecutors have chosen to pursue an indictment despite being fully aware that state law exempts a woman receiving an abortion from being charged with murder.
Ramirez dropped the charges shortly after the woman’s arrest, but unfortunately, she had already spent two nights in jail and was publicly identified as a murder suspect.
In February, Ramirez made a mistake and agreed to pay a $1,250 fine as well as have his license held in a probated suspension for 12 months. This settlement was reached with the State Bar of Texas. Ramirez acknowledged his error and accepted the punishment in order to ensure the continued functioning of his office and his ability to prosecute cases.
