Prosecutor drops murder charge against woman in abortion case

A Georgia prosecutor says he has dismissed murder charges against a 23-year-old woman accused of inducing an abortion by taking pills.

Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards said that Kenlissia Jones of Albany has been released from jail.

Murder Charge Dropped Against Kenlissia Jones, Woman Who Induced Abortion - http://t.co/TBrqV58SpP pic.twitter.com/rLU15RSDsV

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She still faces a misdemeanor charge of dangerous drug possession.

The prosecutor said “Georgia law presently does not permit prosecution of Ms Jones for any alleged acts related to the end of her pregnancy”.

A police report said that Ms Jones took four pills to terminate her pregnancy after breaking up with her boyfriend. She was arrested on Saturday.

Abortion-rights advocates and opponents alike were stunned by the murder charge.

Georgia has prohibited the prosecution of women for feticide or for performing illegal abortions in cases involving their own pregnancies.