NSW: Sydney abortion doctor acquitted of baby's manslaughter=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2006
NSW: Sydney abortion doctor acquitted of baby's manslaughter=2

SUMAN SOOD had pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court to the baby's manslaughter
.. and two counts of procuring an illegal abortion.

The prosecution alleged that in May 2002 .. at her Fairfield clinic in Sydney's south-west
.. SOOD unlawfully gave the abortion drug prostaglandin to a woman who was 23 weeks pregnant
.. in preparation for a termination the next day.

The 20-year-old woman gave birth overnight in the toilet at home .. but the jury heard
conflicting evidence about whether the boy was born alive.

For an abortion to be lawful in NSW .. a doctor has to form the honest belief the procedure
is necessary to preserve the woman's life .. or physical and mental health.

It was alleged SOOD acted unlawfully .. because she failed to assess the woman's circumstances
or ask why she wanted the abortion .. and therefore couldn't have judged whether continuing
the pregnancy would endanger the patient's life or wellbeing.

MORE RTV ka/hn/jmt/bart

KEYWORD: SOOD 2 SYDNEY

) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.