The Alabama Baptist Online

Roe’s appeal not to be discussed, says high courtcomment (0)

July 17, 2003

A federal district court has dismissed a request by former “Jane Roe” plaintiff Norma McCorvey to reconsider the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling 30 years ago.

McCorvey, who became an anti-abortion activist 10 years ago, made the request June 17, seeking an inquiry into evidence she says shows abortion hurts women, the Associated Press reported.

Judge David Godbey of Dallas dismissed her request June 19 saying it was not within a “reasonable time” of the original judgment.

“Whether or not the Supreme Court was infallible, its Roes decision was certainly final in this litigation,” he wrote. “It is simply too late now, 30 years after the fact, for McCorvey to reconsider its decision.

Sarah Weddington, the abortion rights activist and lawyer who originally represented McCorvey, was pleased with Godbey’s ruling.

“It never should have been filed,” she said.

(RNS)