US | abortion Anti-Abortion Groups Use Grand Juries on Foes New/old weapon springs from 19th-century statute By Kevin Spak Posted Jun 17, 2008 3:01 PM CDT Copied Operation Rescue President Troy Newman, center, speaks during a press conference outside George Tiller's clinic in Wichita, Kan., Wednesday, April 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Larry W. Smith) Anti-abortion activists in Kansas are using an obscure 19th-century statute to convene grand juries to hear evidence against abortion-performing doctors, the New York Times reports. In several states, citizens who collect enough signatures can circumvent prosecutors and order their own investigation of an alleged crime. A Kansas doctor, for example, is being investigated to see if he performs illegal late-term abortions. Critics decry the tactic as political harassment. “This is an abuse of the grand jury system,” said one Republican state senator from Kansas. “It’s being used in a political way to further a political cause.” One anti-abortion advocate disagreed: “This is a measure for the people to get some justice,” he said, “and that’s exactly what we’re doing.” Read These Next Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. The Bezos-Sanchez wedding: guest list, cost, the dress, and more. Actor Sam Rockwell gets residuals from movie he wasn't in. Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Report an error