Anybody know what the Laci Peterson law is?

[coloradodem2005]

Bush blasted Kerry about it in an ad saying that he showed up to vote no on it, but failed to show up for other things.

[girl gone mad]

1. I believe..

if you kill a pregnant woman, you can be charged with a double homicide.

Many pro-choice groups believe (probably correctly) that it is the first step towards outlawing abortion because it re-classifies the embryo/fetus as a human.

Edit: I also think you can be charged with homicide or manslaughter if you harm a woman in a manner that results in the death of the fetus. I'm not certain about that, however.

[Kal Belgarion]

2. It basically states....

that violent crimes against pregnant women can be prosecuted as crimes against the woman and her unborn child, much like Scott Peterson is being charged for the murder of his wife and their unborn son.

So it doesn't "prevent" violent crimes against women in any way, unless you think that laws like this deter criminals (just like the Death Penalty supposedly does).

[Book Lover]

3. Minor clarifying point

The law explicitly states that elective abortions are exempt, FWIW. (and it ain't worth a hell of a lot IMHO)

[Shakespeare]

4. It's another precedent on the road to giving the fetus legal "personhood"

And it's also bullshit. Individual murders can be dealt with already on a case-by-case basis, and should be left up to the state to decide.

[riverwalker]

5. FOX spends 10 hours a day on Laci Peterson

Now it's in this ad. They are obsessed about it. It was a horrible crime, but devoting hour upon hour on the trial, the crime, is a little weird. They give the 1000 dead soldiers about 2 seconds of coverage.