| A 1929 Abortion Death: Ruth Weir | |
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On February 16, 1929, Mrs. Ruth Weir, of East Orange, New
Jersey, died at Orange Memorial Hospital of sepsis contracted
through a criminal abortion. Dr. James R. Chamberlain testified
that he had examined Ruth at her home and had admitted her to
the hospital due to a septic condition. Dr. James Wilson testified
that he had treated Ruth in the hospital during late January and
that she was suffering from septicemia. Dr. Maurice Sturm was
arrested when Ruth implicated him in a deathbed statement.
Mrs. Frieda Sanger testified that Sturm had sent Ruth to her
home to recuperate. Sturm admitted to performing the abortion,
but insisted that it had not been illegal because it was necessary
to save Ruth's life. The District Attorney claimed that Sturm failed
to keep proper records, including concealing names and
appointments of patients. Sturm, who was later acquitted of the
manslaughter charge in Ruth's death, alleged during his trial
that a judge had demanded bribe money from him to dismiss
the case, but that $1000 he had given the judge was a gift and
not part of the bribe money. This case rasises several important points we would do well to remember:
Source: New York Times 3-19-30, 3-31-30, 3-22-30, 3-26-30, 3-27-30, 3-28-30, 4-10-30)
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