Charges Dropped Against N.B. Pro-Lifer

After six months with no action by the Crown, criminal charges against pro-life demonstrator Suzie Ryan have been dropped without reasons or explanations. Married to N.B. Right to Life executive director Peter Ryan, Mrs. Ryan was arrested last September while displaying an image of an aborted baby outside the Fredericton clinic owned by Dr. Henry Morgentaler. She was forced into a paddy wagon and taken to the police station, where she spent several hours in jail. Mrs. Ryan was charged with displaying obscene material, under the anti-obscenity provisions of the Criminal Code.

A six month statute of limitations is held by the province on minor offences. The Crown’s failure to pursue the matter before the end of March 2007 indicates the case has been dropped.

“Technically they could have proceeded with charges, but they would have had less likelihood of conviction than if they had acted with six months from arrest,” Peter Ryan said in an email to
LifeCanada News.

The couple’s lawyer has secured removal of any criminal record against Mrs. Ryan from the local and national database. “We are trying to obtain a written apology for unnecessary and undue arrest,” Mr. Ryan said.

“There has evidently been a change of police policy here, for the abortion images have been displayed several times, even in police presence, without any action taken. Chalk one up for pro-life civil liberties in Fredericton, and one less bad precedent for elsewhere.”

While there are currently no legal restrictions blocking demonstrators from protesting outside abortion facilities, N.B. Attorney General Thomas J. Burke said in April that he would consider demands by abortion activists for a “safe zone” around abortion facilities in the province.