U.S Department of Justice today dropped charges against anti-abortion activist Kenneth Scott, who had been accused of blocking the entrance of a Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains facility in Denver last year, his lawyers said.
The case was filed in federal court in Denver.
Scott had faced 10 violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act for stopping cars to talk to drivers as they entered the Planned Parenthood parking area in 2009 and 2010.
He, his wife, Jo, and others regularly protested at the clinic. Had he lost the civil suit brought by the Justice Department, Scott faced a $10,000 fine and would have been prevented from going within 25 feet of the facility.
“As PPRM staff and clients enter and leave the facility, defendants regularly yell anti-abortion rhetoric at them. Examples include “Baby-killer,” “Murderer,” “Abortionist,” and statements that staff and clients will go to Hell and are sinners,” according to the Justice Department’s initial case.
In January U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department’s argument that Scott made it “unreasonably difficult” for patients and employees to get to the clinic.
“This is a monumental victory for the pro-life movement against the Department of Justice,” Peter Breen executive director of the Thomas More Society, which defended Scott, said in a statement.
Scott agreed not to seek compensation from the federal government for his legal expenses.
