New Mexico Bill Would Criminalize Abortions After Rape As 'Tampering With Evidence'

[Howard]

And before this thread takes the obvious turn it should be said this isn't a "Republican" thing. This is just stupidity in action.

I doubt in the eternity of man that a liberal would ever introduce something like this, so no, don't even.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I can understand penalties for destroying evidence of rape by getting an abortion, but as worded it seems intent on forcing women to bear a child conceived by rape. It just seems setup to fail.

 

[Bateluer]

Pretty sure they can get a DNA sample of the baby before it gets anywhere near full term. And probably from the, err, leftovers of an abortion too. Kinda negates the 'evidence' thing. Clearly the victim was pregnant, and matching the DNA to a suspect should be fairly routine.

 

[Incorruptible]

Just stupid and insane, Another reason why we need smaller government and to get rid of these moronic politicians

 

[Lanyap]

Did anyone read the bill? The intent of the law was to keep the perpetrator and others from forcing a woman to get an abortion after a rape or incest.

A. Tampering with evidence consists of destroying,
changing, hiding, placing or fabricating any physical evidence
with intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or
conviction of any person or to throw suspicion of the
commission of a crime upon another.

B. Tampering with evidence shall include procuring
or facilitating an abortion, or compelling or coercing another
to obtain an abortion, of a fetus that is the result of
criminal sexual penetration or incest with the intent to
destroy evidence of the crime.

UPDATE: 12:25 p.m. -- Brown said in a statement Thursday that she introduced the bill with the goal of punishing the person who commits incest or rape and then procures or facilitates an abortion to destroy the evidence of the crime.

“New Mexico needs to strengthen its laws to deter sex offenders,” said Brown. “By adding this law in New Mexico, we can help to protect women across our state.”

 

[Atomic Playboy]

That rationale doesn't make any sense. How many women get raped in New Mexico, then get forcibly dragged to an abortion clinic by their rapist and made to get an abortion they don't want solely so there's no evidence of the rape? Are the doctors there like "ma'am, I know you're upset and you clearly don't want this, but this man has spoken, so spread 'em, we're doing this!" It's completely ridiculous.

 

[Oyeve]

NM the new FL?

 

[Genx87]

What
The
Fuck!

/facepalm

 

[ElFenix]

Did anyone read the bill? The intent of the law was to keep the perpetrator and others from forcing a woman to get an abortion after a rape or incest.

B. Tampering with evidence shall include procuring
or facilitating an abortion, or compelling or coercing another
to obtain an abortion, of a fetus that is the result of
criminal sexual penetration or incest with the intent to
destroy evidence of the crime.

if that were so, then the bolded wouldn't be there.

it would read:

B. Tampering with evidence means compelling or coercing another
to obtain an abortion of a fetus that is the result of
criminal sexual penetration or incest with the intent to
destroy evidence of the crime.

 

[thraashman]

Did anyone read the bill? The intent of the law was to keep the perpetrator and others from forcing a woman to get an abortion after a rape or incest.

You can claim intent, the problem will come with the legal wording of the bill. To my knowledge there's no reason why an abortion would constitute tampering with evidence as I've fairly sure that the act of abortion doesn't alter the fetal DNA that can be used as evidence. I don't see how this bill, even if the claimed intent is true, would actually work towards deterring sexual assault and rape. If someone is going to rape a woman, I would think tampering with evidence is a minor concern that follows.

 

[cave_dweller]

I don't get it. Why is abortion legal? I can understand in a rape scenario (which will mean she did not report it or waited a period for it to report it) but for any other cases I don't get it. Nobody wants to take responsibility anymore. Like if you do not want to get pregnant do not open your legs. Or use birth control ffs.