Louisiana AG to extradite NY doctor who prescribed abortion pills
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has made it clear that she will not comply with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s motion to extradite a New York doctor who allegedly prescribed and mailed an abortion pill to a Louisiana mother. In a statement on Thursday, Hochul firmly rejected the extradition request, stating that New York will not turn over the physician who provided reproductive healthcare to a Louisiana resident.
Murrill had announced on Wednesday that she had filed a motion to extradite Dr. Margaret Carpenter, who was indicted by a Louisiana grand jury for providing a pregnant woman in Louisiana with an abortion drug. Murrill emphasized that she would take all necessary legal actions to enforce the criminal laws of the state.
However, Hochul responded by stating that New York has sent out a law enforcement notice declaring that certain out-of-state warrants are not enforceable within the state. She made it clear that any individual involved in a situation regarding the doctor in question is not to cooperate with the extradition request. Hochul emphasized that New York has taken all necessary steps to protect the doctor from being extradited.
In response to Murrill’s claims that New York officials do not have the authority to resist extradition, Hochul reiterated her stance, stating that she would never turn the doctor over to Louisiana under any circumstances. She also signed a law allowing doctors to request that their names be omitted from abortion pill prescriptions.
The case has sparked a debate between the two states, with Louisiana having some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, while New York has taken steps to protect reproductive access. Louisiana’s abortion laws have been in place since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, with only exceptions for non-viable pregnancies and the life of the mother. On the other hand, New York recently enshrined abortion access into its constitution under Hochul’s leadership.
Hochul emphasized that she will uphold the laws of New York and protect all New Yorkers, stating that she will not be signing an extradition order from the governor of Louisiana. The case represents the first known criminal indictment of a doctor charged with prescribing abortion medication across state lines.
In conclusion, Gov. Hochul’s refusal to comply with the extradition request highlights the ongoing battle over reproductive rights in the United States. The clash between Louisiana and New York underscores the importance of states stepping up to protect reproductive freedom and ensuring access to healthcare for all individuals.
