Alabama judge hears state bid to close women's clinic

Thursday, May 30, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - An Alabama judge is considering an attempt by the state to shut down what it claims is an illegal abortion clinic in Birmingham.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Joseph Boohaker has set a hearing for Friday to consider arguments over New Woman All Women Health Care.

The state sued in March, arguing the business is performing abortions illegally despite agreeing to shut down for a series of violations.

Companies and individuals sued by the state have filed a series of motions asking a judge to dismiss the case. They deny the business is operating illegally as an abortion clinic.

The clinic is the same one where a Birmingham police officer died in a 1998 bombing. Eric Rudolph is serving a life sentence for that blast and the Olympic bombing in 1996.