Tennessee Judge Will Take Up Cases Related to Abortion and Assisted Suicide

Later this week, state and federal court judges in Nashville will take up cases with grave implications for the protection of human life in Tennessee.

On Thursday morning, Chief District Judge Kevin Sharp will hear arguments by owner-operators of abortion facilities. They claim “irreparable harm” from enforcement of several pro-life statutes including informed consent and 48-hour waiting period for women and girls considering abortion, requirement that abortion facilities be inspected and licensed by the TN Department of Health and a 2012 law mandating that abortion providers hold admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.

Already, Judge Sharp has indicated sympathy for the plaintiffs and placed an emergency restraining order on enforcement of the licensure and inspection requirement for two facilities owned and operated in Bristol and Nashville by Drs. Wesley Adams and Gary Boyle.

The hearing on the lawsuit seeking an injunction against the above pro-life laws has been scheduled for 9 a.m. (CDT), Thursday, July 9, in Judge Sharp’s courtroom, Room 820, U.S. District Courthouse, 801 Broadway 800, Nashville, TN 37203.

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On Friday morning, Davidson County Chancellor Carol McCoy will hear arguments by proponents of doctor-assisted suicide who claim the state’s ban on the practice violates fundamental privacy rights in the Tennessee Constitution. The lawsuit is brought by John Jay Hooker and seeks to overturn the 1993 state law which largely mirrors the policies of most other states which similarly protect the lives of the elderly, disabled, and sick.

The hearing on Hooker’s lawsuit will be taken up at 9 a.m. (CDT), Friday, July 10, in Chancellor McCoy’s courtroom on the 4th floor of the Davidson County Court House, 1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201.