Lawyer says Kansas activist tried to intimidate doctor
(AP) — An anti-abortion activist intended to intimidate a Wichita physician when she sent a letter suggesting someone might place an explosive under the doctor's car, a Justice Department lawyer told jurors in opening statements in her civil trial Tuesday.
Attorney Theresa Sidebotham said during her opening remarks that the government is trying to silence the free expression of views it disagrees with, and she assured jurors that Dillard only believes in peaceful opposition to abortion rights.
The lawsuit, filed by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, was brought under a federal law aimed at protecting women's access to abortion services.
Attorney Barry Grissom said the Justice Department pursued a civil case rather than criminal charges because the legal standard needed for an injunction is lower than "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is required for a criminal conviction.