Power

What the Hell Happened to Lizelle Herrera?

The Texas woman's case is a grim insight into the criminalization of pregnancy—one that seems to be getting worse.

Silhouette of woman
Lizelle Herrera was indicted and arrested for murder over what authorities described as a “self-induced” abortion. The charges have been dropped—because she didn't commit a crime. Getty Images

How do you whoopsie-daisy your way to an indictment? How do you charge someone with a “crime” when said crime doesn’t exist?

That’s what happened in Texas after the indictment and arrest of Lizelle Herrera for a “self-induced” abortion. While Herrera’s charges were dropped, the case is a grim insight into the criminalization of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes—one that seems to be getting worse.

In a new episode of Boom! Lawyered, co-hosts Jessica Mason Pieklo and Imani Gandy break down a few key points about what happened: the importance of accuracy in reporting on these issues, the ever-present questions about HIPPA and medical privacy, and the carceral nature of medicine.

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Articles mentioned in the episode: